PUMA.Safe Environmental Handbook Volume 1 - About PUMA

SECTION THREE
3. Environment Management Systems (EMS)
Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are an important vehicle for improving environmental performance by
providing various types of organizations with the necessary tools to successfully manage their environmental activities
and initiatives.
3.1 Legal Compliance
Full Legal Compliance forms the basis of every EMS. In most countries, official permits are necessary as proof of
compliance with legal requirements. For different production processes, different permits may be required, for example
a discharge permit for dye houses or an air emission permit for factories which operate a large scale boiler or electric
power generator. Thus it depends on the type and size of production which requirements must be complied with.
Typically, permits cover air emissions, effluents and legal waste disposal, which apply for both normal and hazardous
waste. The following permitting documents must be secured by PUMA entities and supplier factories where applicable
and as required by local laws:
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
• Environment Compliance Certificate (or its exemption) as justified by the EIA
• Related Permit to Operate a Business following clearance of complying with relevant Environment Protection
and Pollution regulations.
• Environment Permit to Operate Wastewater Treatment facilities
• Environment Permit to Air Emission Sources (e.g. Boilers, Power Generators, Dust Collector, Onsite Incinerator,
etc.),
• Environment Permit or Clearance for Transport and Disposal of Solid Waste
• Environment Permit for Storage, Transport and Disposal of Hazardous Waste
• Other Environment Permit required by National Environmental Laws
The PUMA.Safe team expects suppliers to keep up to date with all relevant environmental legislation and act accordingly.
To ensure that a factory is in compliance with the local legislation and in accordance with the PUMA.Safe standards, an
inspection of written environmental permits forms part of the PUMA.Safe Audit, which is a precondition for every
supplier’s production authorization.
3.2 Plan-Do-Check-Act
Besides PUMAs own operations, all PUMA suppliers shall implement a sound Environmental Management System to
ensure legal compliance, effective implementation of an environmental program as well as to achieve continuous
improvement. In this regard, PUMA encourages suppliers to secure a certified EMS program like ISO 14001 and/or the
EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme EMAS.
For more information on the above certified EMS programs:
http://www.iso.org/iso/iso14000
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/index_en.htm
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