COMPETITIVE EXAM MCQs SERIES of ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE for UGC-NET/JRF, SLET, ARS, GATE, and other entrance tests – Environmental Management System.
Syllabus Outline
- Concepts, scope, significance, and evolution of EMS.
- National and international frameworks and regulatory bodies.
- Key principles, implementation, and certification process of ISO14001 standards.
- Process, methodologies, and public participation of EIA.
- Types, tools, and reporting standards of environmental auditing.
- Corporate environmental initiatives and the Triple Bottom Line approach.
- Life Cycle Assessment, ecological footprint, and performance indicators.
- Green technologies, circular economy, and implementation challenges.
This quiz contains the concept-based most frequently asked 25 MCQs of “Environmental Management System“. Each question has a single correct/most appropriate answer.
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1. Which of the following is the primary purpose of an Environmental Management System (EMS)?
a) To ensure regulatory compliance
b) To reduce environmental impact
c) To improve employee productivity
d) To enhance corporate reputation
2. Which international standard is most commonly associated with EMS?
a) ISO 9001
b) ISO 45001
c) ISO 14001
d) ISO 50001
3. What is the first step in implementing an EMS according to ISO 14001?
a) Establish the context of the organization
b) Developing an environmental policy
c) Identifying legal and other requirements
d) Setting environmental objectives and targets
4. Which of the following is a key component of the “Plan” phase in EMS?
a) Conducting training programs
b) Establishing environmental objectives and targets
c) Performing internal audits
d) Reviewing management processes
5. During which phase of the PDCA cycle are corrective and preventive actions implemented?
a) Plan
b) Do
c) Check
d) Act
6. What is the primary purpose of an environmental audit?
a) To verify compliance with environmental regulations
b) To identify areas for environmental impact minimization
c) To ensure compliance with sustainable development goals
d) To assess financial and ecological performance
7. How often should management review EMS?
a) Annually
b) Biannually
c) Quarterly
d) As needed
8. Which of the following activities is NOT part of the “Check” phase in the PDCA cycle of EMS?
a) Conducting internal audits
b) Monitoring and measuring performance
c) Implementing corrective actions
d) Reviewing environmental objectives and targets
9. The core framework of an Environmental Management System is based on the principles of:
a) Deming Cycle
b) Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle
c) Precautionary Principle
d) Environmental Kuznets Curve
10. An organization seeking ISO 14001 certification for their EMS must demonstrate:
a) Elimination of all environmental impacts.
b) Continuous improvement in environmental performance.
c) Net positive environmental impact.
d) Use of only renewable resources.
11. Stakeholder engagement is a critical element of a successful EMS because it:
a) Decrease paperwork and administrative burden.
b) Provides valuable insights and fosters collaboration.
c) Limits the organization’s decision-making authority.
d) Focuses solely on regulatory compliance.
12. When conducting an environmental aspect evaluation, an EMS should consider factors including:
I – Resource use, emissions, and waste generation.
II – Public perception.
III – Financial implications.
IV – Legal requirements with scientific assessment.
a) I only
b) I and II
c) I, II and II
d) I, II, III and IV
13. Eco-design principles are most effectively applied within an EMS during the:
a) Operational phase.
b) Design and development phase.
c) Marketing and sales phase.
d) End-of-life and disposal phase.
14. Emerging trends in EMS include the adoption of:
a) Less stringent environmental regulations.
b) More prescriptive standards with limited flexibility.
c) Circular economy principles
d) A one-size-fits-all approach for all industries.
15. An organization’s environmental policy should be aligned with its:
I – Overall business strategy and values.
II – Legal requirements should consider environmental impact.
III – Marketing strategy.
Short-term financial goals.
a) I only
b) I and II
c) I, II and III
d) I, II, III and IV
16. Which of the following is NOT a key element of green supply chain management?
a) Collaboration with suppliers to reduce environmental impacts.
b) Prioritizing the use of virgin materials over recycled content.
c) Optimizing transportation logistics to minimize fuel consumption and emissions.
d) Designing products for disassembly and ease of end-of-life recycling.
17. Blockchain technology has the potential to enhance environmental data transparency and traceability within an EMS by:
a) Decreasing the complexity of data management.
b) Creating a secure and tamper-proof record of environmental data.
c) Eliminating the need for supplier environmental audits.
d) Reducing stakeholder engagement in environmental management.
18. A company aims to improve its EMS by addressing its most significant environmental aspect. Which of the following would likely have the highest impact?
a) Reducing office paper use
b) Improving waste management in production
c) Implementing an employee carpool program
d) Switching to energy-efficient lighting
19. Which of the following clauses in ISO 14001 deals specifically with “planning” actions to address risks and opportunities?
a) Clause 4
b) Clause 5
c) Clause 6
d) Clause 7
20. During an internal audit of an EMS, the auditor finds that the organization has not updated its legal compliance register for two years. What should be the auditor’s first course of action?
a) Issue a non-conformance report
b) Update the legal compliance register immediately
c) Discuss the findings with top management
d) Terminate the audit
21. A company with ISO 14001:2015 tend to perform better in which of the following areas?
a) Financial reporting
b) Market share
c) Environmental performance
d) Customer satisfaction
22. Assertion (A): ISO 14001 requires organizations to establish an environmental policy.
Reason (R): An environmental policy outlines the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement and compliance with legal requirements.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
23. Assertion (A): Conducting regular internal audits is a requirement of ISO 14001.
Reason (R): Regular internal audits help organizations identify non-conformities and areas for improvement within their EMS.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
24. Assertion (A): Implementing an EMS according to ISO 14001 guarantees compliance with all environmental regulations.
Reason (R): ISO 14001 requires organizations to identify and comply with applicable legal and other requirements.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
25. Assertion (A): Life cycle perspective is a required consideration in ISO 14001:2015.
Reason (R): Considering a life cycle perspective helps organizations identify environmental impacts from cradle to grave.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A correctly.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
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References
- Gupta, N. (2011). Environmental Management: A Comprehensive Handbook, Rajat Publications, 1st Edition.
- Sarkar, S. (2005). Environmental Management, Macmillan India, 1st Edition.
- Cunningham, W. P., & Cunningham, M. A. (2021). Environmental Science: A Global Concern, McGraw-Hill, 15th Edition.
- Barrow, C. J. (2006). Environmental Management for Sustainable Development, Routledge, 2nd Edition.
- ISO (2015). ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems: Requirements with Guidance for Use, ISO Publishing, 3rd Edition.
