2. Environmental management system: the principle of continuous improvement

2.1 ISO 14001 and continuous improvement

"We only know what we measure, and we only act effectively when we manage". These two precepts (measure and manage) are the basis of an EMS. ISO 14001, like all management standards, is based on the principle of continuous improvement. It is a recurring process of enriching practices in order to achieve improvements in overall environmental performance.

Continuous improvement can also be seen in terms of PDCA, with its four stages: Plan (to plan), Do (to do what has been planned), Check (to check that what has been done is in line with expectations) and Act (to act if the result is not what was expected).

The standard can be broken down into four phases:

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