What is the PDCA cycle of continuous improvement?
An ISO 14001 environmental management system follows a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. This is whereby:
PLAN = developing the policy and the environmental management system to achieve the policy requirements and meet the requirements of the standard; DO = implementing the environmental management system (e.g. provision of training and implementing improvement programs); CHECK = checking and reviewing the system for adequacy (e.g. capturing of data, and conducting inspections, audits and management reviews); andACT = continuously improving the environmental management system (e.g. revision of documents and provision of training)