The Relevance of Competence Management Systems for Environmental Management

In the wake of increasing environmental concerns and stricter regulations, the importance of effective environmental management cannot be overstated. A key aspect of this is the implementation of Competence Management Systems (CMS). A CMS is a systematic approach to identifying, developing, and managing competence in an organisation. It ensures that employees have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their roles effectively and comply with environmental regulations.

The Need for CMS in Environmental Management

A 2021 review conducted by the Environment Agency (EA) revealed a significant number of non-compliance scores. These were primarily due to the failure to implement adequate management systems and a lack of proper supervision and training. Sites falling in compliance bands C through F were found to require additional TCM (Technical Competence Management) supervision hours (Reference). This highlights the crucial role of a CMS in ensuring compliance and effective environmental management.

WAMITAB vs CMS

A condition of an environmental permit or waste management licence requires operators to demonstrate technical competence. Many operators fulfil this requirement through the WAMITAB scheme, but now there is an alternative route for meeting permit conditions through the Competence Management Scheme (CMS). The CMS is jointly run between the Energy and Utility Skills Council (EU Skills) and the Environmental Services Association (ESA).

The CMS is different to WAMITAB, as it recognises the competence of all employees within the organisation and removes the reliance on one specific individual being present and ensure that business continuity is maintained regardless of individual staff members being absent.

Benefits of CMS

Implementing a CMS can offer several benefits:

  1. Time Efficiency: A well-structured CMS can save time by providing clear guidelines and procedures for environmental management. This reduces the need for constant supervision and allows for more efficient use of resources.
  2. Improved Management Structure: A CMS provides a structured framework for managing competence. This makes it easier to identify gaps in skills or knowledge and take appropriate action. It also ensures that all employees are working towards the same environmental objectives.
  3. Ease of Maintenance: With a CMS, maintaining compliance becomes less cumbersome. The system provides a clear overview of competence levels and requirements, making it easier to monitor and update as needed.
  4. Enhanced Compliance: A CMS helps ensure that all activities are carried out in accordance with environmental regulations. This reduces the risk of non-compliance and the associated penalties.
  5. Support and Auditing Capacities: WRM provide full CMS consultancy support and auditing capacities. We assist in the implementation and maintenance of the CMS, ensuring it remains effective and up-to-date.

In addition to satisfying permit conditions, the CMS also offers a whole range of benefits, such as:

  • Increases staff awareness of environmental issues and permit requirements, therefore reducing the likelihood of any incidents occurring onsite and the negative impacts they could cause.
  • Supports the skills and personal development of all employees.
  • May contribute towards improving overall business efficiency and quality of products.
  • Demonstrates to company stakeholders that you are taking a proactive step to improving the organisation as a whole, rather than on certain individuals.
  • Employees undergo training which is relevant to their role.
  • No requirement to record attendance levels.
  • Can be implemented by any business with an environmental permit – not just within the waste industry.
  • In some circumstances a CMS may improve OPRA scoring.
  • Can be integrated with existing management systems, such as ISO 14001 and ISO 9001.
  • Approved by the Environment Agency, DEFRA, Welsh government and Natural Resources Wales and is also UKAS accredited.

The scheme is structured in a similar way to the ISO system, where the organisation must develop and implement a policy and objectives which consider legal requirements and compliance of the environmental permit. A CMS is based on the plan-do-check-act cycle and is comprised of written procedures, internal audit, management review and obviously a training programme. Once certified the certificate is valid for 3 years, but an annual surveillance audit is required to ensure continual improvement.

An effectively implemented CMS has the potential to bring real and lasting benefits to any organisation and most importantly, helps to manage the risk of environmental issues through a lack in competence of site operatives.

A well-structured CMS not only ensures compliance with regulations but also promotes efficiency and effectiveness in managing environmental responsibilities. As environmental concerns continue to grow, the relevance of CMS in environmental management is likely to increase further. Whether it’s a CMS or WAMITAB, the goal is to ensure that employees are competent and that organisations are compliant with regulations. The choice between the two would depend on the specific needs and context of the organisation. For organisations in the waste management industry in England and Wales, WAMITAB would be the more relevant choice due to its specific focus on this industry. For other industries or locations, a CMS might be more appropriate.

Please get in touch if you would like further information on how a CMS can help your business.

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