1.1 The Business Environment NetworkThis is an award for organisations and companies who have a fully implemented EMS and are demonstrating continual improvement of their environmental performance. They will have made their initial commitment to environmental management, to the level required for the Bronze Award. They will also have conducted an initial environmental review to identify their environmental aspects/impacts/risks. They will have implemented the main elements of an EMS and put in place procedures to minimise risk and control significant aspects/impacts, at a level consistent with that of the Silver award. They will also have assessed their performance in managing their impacts, through environmental audits and a review of their EMS. At the same time they will have monitored their performance in key areas and implemented the feedback loop through the EMS review process. Their management will have reviewed their progress and planned for future continuous improvement in environmental performance.
1.2 Criteria for the Gold AwardRecipients will have demonstrated (in response to questions, in documented form and/or by action) the following: 1.2.1 Monitoring and measurement
Depending upon the type of activities, there may be parameters that must be monitored and measured. If required, they must have been monitored, documented and kept records for the required time interval. 1.2.2 Environmental Audits
Any Environmental Management System must be audited, to determine if the planned Objectives, Targets and Environmental Management Programme are being carried out or achieved, and to measure Environmental Performance against the criteria laid down in the Environmental Policy and the Standard to which they are aiming. 1.2.3 Non-conformance, Corrective & Preventive Action
A non-conformance is any situation, identified by audit or reported by any party, where the system fails to 'live up to' the planned criteria or requirements of the Environmental Policy, Objectives and Targets, Procedures and Operating Instructions, Management Programme or any other planned performance criteria. Once a non-conformance has been identified, corrective and preventive actions need to be considered. The EMS needs to have systems in place to deal with these important performance monitors. 1.2.4 Management Review
Any Environmental Management System must be reviewed by top management to consider its continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness. The review needs to consider the EMS value to the organisation, whether the scope is still adequate and any improvements/changes that may be necessary to ensure the EMS continues to meet the organisation's needs, the relevant Standard criteria and improves the environment. 1.2.5 Document control
There must be procedures for the control of all documents within the Environmental Management System, including records, registers and procedures to ensure that the system is logical and auditable. If all these requirements are implemented and maintained, the EMS will improve the environmental performance of the organisation, no matter what its size, and result in some overall environmental improvement for all of us and the biosphere. Good luck in your endeavors! | 
