Investigation of Effectiveness of EMS Establishment in Improvement of Environmental Performance of Industrial Units in Iran

The set of ISO 14000 standards as an effective factor has improved the environmental performance of organizations, standardize them and integrate the environmental management system. ISO14031 as a precise, quantitative and measurable tool has provided to senior manager of organization helped the management to present better environmental performance according to with measurable criteria and indicators. In this study ISO 14031 were applied in order to assess the effectiveness of environmental management system standard to evaluate the improvement in of environmental management system performance of industrial units. For doing research at first the selected statistical population, units that adopted ISO 14001 standards certification, was grouped. Survey data were collected using a questionnaire containing questions about the effectiveness indicators of ISO 14001 establishment. Data analysis was performed by using descriptive and inferential statistics, cross tab tables and K-square analysis. The results showed that despite the many benefits that ISO14001 standard establishment has for organizations, its maintenance is one of the main elements of its success. The evaluation of studied units has shown that their performance in maintaining this management system is poor and organization after adopting certification involved, its maintenance declines in quality management level.