Training Module
Training Module
Environmental Operational Control
Understand how ISO 14001 operational controls are defined, implemented, and maintained across processes, procurement, and change
Understand
Implement
Manage
Audit
Training module overview
Many ISO 14001 systems describe controls at a high level but struggle to make them consistent in real operations: procedures drift, contractors work “their way”, procurement decisions undermine controls, and change introduces new environmental risks without anyone noticing early enough.
This module shows how to translate defined environmental requirements into practical operational controls: what to control, where to embed criteria, how to handle outsourced processes and suppliers, and how to maintain control through change. It assumes that significant aspects and compliance obligations have already been identified; it does not re-teach the underlying risk methodology or aspects assessment.
Many ISO 14001 systems describe controls at a high level but struggle to make them consistent in real operations: procedures drift, contractors work “their way”, procurement decisions undermine controls, and change introduces new environmental risks without anyone noticing early enough.
This module shows how to translate defined environmental requirements into practical operational controls: what to control, where to embed criteria, how to handle outsourced processes and suppliers, and how to maintain control through change. It assumes that significant aspects and compliance obligations have already been identified; it does not re-teach the underlying risk methodology or aspects assessment.
Target audience
Environmental management system managers and implementers (ISO 14001)
Operational process owners responsible for controlling environmental performance
Procurement / supplier managers interacting with environmental requirements
Engineering, maintenance, and facilities leads managing operational change
HSEQ / IMS coordinators integrating environmental controls with other systems
Environmental management system managers and implementers (ISO 14001)
Operational process owners responsible for controlling environmental performance
Procurement / supplier managers interacting with environmental requirements
Engineering, maintenance, and facilities leads managing operational change
HSEQ / IMS coordinators integrating environmental controls with other systems
Agenda
What “operational control” means in ISO 14001
Control intent: from significant aspects and obligations to control needs
Control boundaries: where this module starts and stops (interfaces to aspects assessment and emergency response)
Defining control criteria that can be executed
Control criteria types (limits, conditions, methods, prohibitions, approvals)
Practical calibration: enough specificity to guide behaviour, not bureaucracy
Embedding controls into processes and work instructions
Integrating controls into operational procedures, maintenance, and scheduling
Roles, handovers, and operational discipline (what must be explicit)
Managing outsourced processes, contractors, and site access
Control of outsourced processes: expectations, interfaces, and oversight
Contractor controls: competence conditions, supervision, and verification
Procurement and supplier-facing controls
Translating environmental requirements into purchasing criteria and specifications
Supplier expectations and evidence without turning procurement into auditing
Design and change
Operational change: triggers, review depth, and “control drift” prevention
Design / modification decisions: embedding environmental requirements early
Life cycle perspective in operational control
Where life cycle thinking changes control choices (upstream/downstream considerations)
Avoiding “paper life cycle”: keeping it tied to real decisions and influence
Workshop (case-based, Halderstone default case)
Identify control points and draft control criteria for a defined operation
Map interfaces: procurement, contractors, change, and documentation (organisation-specific application optional)
What “operational control” means in ISO 14001
Control intent: from significant aspects and obligations to control needs
Control boundaries: where this module starts and stops (interfaces to aspects assessment and emergency response)
Defining control criteria that can be executed
Control criteria types (limits, conditions, methods, prohibitions, approvals)
Practical calibration: enough specificity to guide behaviour, not bureaucracy
Embedding controls into processes and work instructions
Integrating controls into operational procedures, maintenance, and scheduling
Roles, handovers, and operational discipline (what must be explicit)
Managing outsourced processes, contractors, and site access
Control of outsourced processes: expectations, interfaces, and oversight
Contractor controls: competence conditions, supervision, and verification
Procurement and supplier-facing controls
Translating environmental requirements into purchasing criteria and specifications
Supplier expectations and evidence without turning procurement into auditing
Design and change
Operational change: triggers, review depth, and “control drift” prevention
Design / modification decisions: embedding environmental requirements early
Life cycle perspective in operational control
Where life cycle thinking changes control choices (upstream/downstream considerations)
Avoiding “paper life cycle”: keeping it tied to real decisions and influence
Workshop (case-based, Halderstone default case)
Identify control points and draft control criteria for a defined operation
Map interfaces: procurement, contractors, change, and documentation (organisation-specific application optional)
Course ID:
HAM-EOC-1
Audience:
Manager
Domain:
Environment
Available in:
English
Duration:
7 h
List price:
CHF 550
Excl. VAT. VAT may apply depending on customer location and status.
What you get
Learning outcomes
Translate identified significant aspects and compliance obligations into concrete operational control needs
Define control criteria that are clear, verifiable, and workable in daily operations
Embed environmental controls into operational processes, maintenance routines, and role interfaces
Specify and manage controls for outsourced processes and contractors without relying on informal supervision
Integrate environmental requirements into procurement and supplier interactions in a proportionate way
Apply a life cycle perspective to operational control decisions where the organisation has influence
Establish practical routines to maintain control through operational change (including “control drift” signals)
Translate identified significant aspects and compliance obligations into concrete operational control needs
Define control criteria that are clear, verifiable, and workable in daily operations
Embed environmental controls into operational processes, maintenance routines, and role interfaces
Specify and manage controls for outsourced processes and contractors without relying on informal supervision
Integrate environmental requirements into procurement and supplier interactions in a proportionate way
Apply a life cycle perspective to operational control decisions where the organisation has influence
Establish practical routines to maintain control through operational change (including “control drift” signals)
Learning materials
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Certificate of completion
Slide deck
Participant workbook
Certificate of completion
Templates & tools
Operational control mapping worksheet (control points, criteria, owners, evidence)
Control criteria library (examples by control type)
Contractor / outsourced process control checklist (interfaces and oversight)
Procurement requirements mini-pack (specification clauses, supplier expectations, acceptance evidence)
Change-trigger and impact review sheet (environmental control impacts)
Life cycle perspective prompt sheet (decision questions and influence boundaries)
Operational control mapping worksheet (control points, criteria, owners, evidence)
Control criteria library (examples by control type)
Contractor / outsourced process control checklist (interfaces and oversight)
Procurement requirements mini-pack (specification clauses, supplier expectations, acceptance evidence)
Change-trigger and impact review sheet (environmental control impacts)
Life cycle perspective prompt sheet (decision questions and influence boundaries)
Prerequisites
This module assumes you already have a basic ISO 14001 management system structure in place and can describe your organisation’s operations and interfaces.
Helpful background includes:
A completed (or at least stable) set of significant environmental aspects and related operational priorities
Awareness of applicable compliance obligations and how they affect operational requirements
Familiarity with basic management system concepts (roles, processes, documented information)
This module assumes you already have a basic ISO 14001 management system structure in place and can describe your organisation’s operations and interfaces.
Helpful background includes:
A completed (or at least stable) set of significant environmental aspects and related operational priorities
Awareness of applicable compliance obligations and how they affect operational requirements
Familiarity with basic management system concepts (roles, processes, documented information)
Strongly recommended preparatory modules
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Risk Management Foundations: Consistent Risk and Opportunity Logic Across Management Systems
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Learn the fundamentals of identifying, evaluating, treating, and monitoring risks and opportunities across management systems.
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Helpful preparatory modules
The modules below prepare for an optimal learning experience – but are not strictly necessary for participants to follow.
Documentation & Knowledge Foundations: Documented Information, Records, and Organisational Knowledge
Fundamentals of documented information control, records, and knowledge capture for management systems
7 h
Documentation & Knowledge Foundations: Documented Information, Records, and Organisational Knowledge
Fundamentals of documented information control, records, and knowledge capture for management systems
7 h
Documentation & Knowledge Foundations: Documented Information, Records, and Organisational Knowledge
Fundamentals of documented information control, records, and knowledge capture for management systems
7 h
People & Communication Foundations: Building Competence, Awareness, and Communication
Learn the fundamentals of competence planning, awareness building, and structured communication in management systems
7 h
People & Communication Foundations: Building Competence, Awareness, and Communication
Learn the fundamentals of competence planning, awareness building, and structured communication in management systems
7 h
People & Communication Foundations: Building Competence, Awareness, and Communication
Learn the fundamentals of competence planning, awareness building, and structured communication in management systems
7 h
Continuous learning
Follow-up modules
Follow-up modules
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen the participant's competence.
After completion of this module, the following modules are ideal to further deepen the participant's competence.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.
Ready to achieve mastery?
Bring ISO requirements into everyday practice to reduce avoidable issues and strengthen the trust of your customers and stakeholders.