What is an Environmental Management System?

An environmental management system is a structured approach that enables companies and organizations to systematically address environmental issues and reduce their environmental impact. The purpose is to identify environmental risks, set objectives, and take action to achieve defined sustainability goals.

Certification

Systematic environmental work is not only essential for achieving sustainability targets – it’s also a prerequisite for becoming certified according to ISO 14001. This certification requires the organization to:

• Identify and manage environmental risks
• Document environmental policies and action plans
• Continuously improve environmental performance
  
  

For certain industries, this is even a legal requirement under the Swedish Environmental Management Regulation (2009:907). An environmental management system helps you control, monitor, and improve your environmental efforts so that you meet both regulatory requirements and your internal goals in a structured and efficient way.

För vissa verksamheter är det till och med ett krav enligt miljöledningsförordningen (2009:907). Ett miljöledningssystem hjälper er att styra, följa upp och utveckla ert arbete så att ni uppfyller både lagkrav och era egna miljömål på ett strukturerat och effektivt sätt.

Benefits of an Environmental Management System

•  Ensures compliance with laws and environmental regulations
• Reduces environmental impact through structured efforts
• Creates clear goals, routines, and defined responsibilities
• Facilitates continuous improvement and follow-up
• Simplifies internal and external communication of environmental initiatives
• Provides a foundation for ISO 14001 certification
• Strengthens your brand and sustainability profile
• Streamlines management of documents, actions, and inspections
• The aim is to improve the planning, execution, and evaluation of your operations.

Creating a process for continuous environmental improvement

A successful environmental management system is based on a clear and ongoing process to identify, manage, and improve your organization’s environmental impact. By using AM System’s cloud-based tools for Document and Case Management, you can build a structured workflow that ensures each step is handled efficiently and transparently.

1. Conduct an environmental review
   The first step is mapping your environmental impact through an environmental review. With AM System’s Document Management, you can collect all information, create checklists, and manage the work using templates that simplify the process. This gives you a clear overview and a solid basis for prioritizing the right actions.
   
   
2. Develop an action plan
   Once your review is complete, the next step is to develop an action plan with clear objectives, responsibilities, and deadlines. Using AM System’s Case Management, you can easily assign tasks, set timelines, and follow up with automated reminders. Checklists and instructions help ensure that everyone understands what needs to be done.
   
   
3. Implement actions
   With the action plan in place, it’s time to carry out the measures – from introducing new routines to reducing energy consumption. AM System’s Case Management makes it easy to track each initiative, assign responsibility, and monitor progress. Reminders, workflows, and filtering features help you stay on track and prioritize effectively. The result is a structured and visible environmental effort that leads to real change.
   
   
4. Evaluate and follow up
   Good environmental work doesn’t end with the implementation of actions – it requires continuous follow-up and improvement. With AM System, you can collect data, analyze results, and track progress through clear reports and visualizations. This provides insights into what’s working and where improvements can be made, keeping your environmental work relevant, effective, and alive over time.
   
   

Achieve Sustainability Goals with AM System

With a digital management system from AM System, you get a complete platform to drive your environmental work forward. Gather everything from environmental policies to action plans and inspections in one place – an efficient way to meet current environmental requirements and strengthen your sustainability efforts.

Document management system

Gather all essential environmental documents in a digital document management system that is easy to use and keep updated. With version control, access rights, and clear traceability, your work becomes structured and transparent.

Case management system

Gain full control over actions, inspections, and follow-ups. AM System’s Case Management allows you to create workflows, assign responsibilities, and ensure timely execution of all actions.

Process mapping

Visualize your workflows and define clear processes for your environmental efforts. Digital process mapping makes it easier to identify risks, improve routines, and align the entire organization towards common sustainability goals.