ISO 14001 combined to cost deployment (EMS-CD): a new financial vision

The aim of this work is to study the improvement of the performance of ISO 14001 environment management system (EMS) by deploying a tool from world-class manufacturing: Cost Deployment (CD). The EMS-CD proposed framework is meant to overcome the traditional limits presented by the implementation of ISO 14001 standards especially the lack of financial dimension. It integrates concepts from EMS (ISO 14001) and Cost Deployment tool. This approach allows the company to identify impacts and environmental aspects and implement appropriate improvement actions to ensure financial gains. The proposed framework allows critical issues to be analysed and estimates of potential savings in terms of costs. A case study applying the EMS-CD framework within a certified ISO 14001 chemical fertiliser company is presented with the aim to illustrate the proposed methodology.