NEWEST CERTIFIED ENVIRONMENTAL
SYSTEMS MANAGER EXAM OFFERED BY THE
NATIONAL REGISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. An environmental systems manager is
implementing an Environmental Management System
(EMS) based on ISO 14001. Which of the following is a
key principle of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle?
A) Continuous improvement
B) Management review
C) Environmental policy and planning
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: PDCA includes planning, implementation,
checking, and management review, leading to
continuous improvement.
2. A facility is seeking ISO 14001 certification. Which
of the following is required for the "Environmental
Policy" clause?
A) Commitment to prevention of pollution
,B) Commitment to comply with legal and other
requirements
C) Commitment to continual improvement
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: ISO 14001 requires the environmental
policy to include commitments to compliance,
prevention of pollution, and continual improvement.
3. An environmental systems manager is developing
an EMS. Which of the following is the first step in the
planning phase?
A) Set environmental objectives and targets
B) Identify environmental aspects and impacts
C) Conduct a management review
D) Implement operational controls
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The planning phase begins with identifying
environmental aspects (activities, products, services
that interact with the environment) and their impacts.
,4. A facility has identified its environmental aspects.
Which of the following is a direct environmental
aspect (under the organization's control)?
A) Emissions from a company-owned boiler
B) Supplier's manufacturing processes
C) Customer use of the product
D) Disposal of the product at end-of-life
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Direct aspects are those that the
organization can control (its own operations).
Indirect aspects (supply chain, product use) are also
considered.
5. An environmental systems manager is conducting
a compliance audit. Which of the following is a
potential finding under the Clean Air Act?
A) Operating without a Title V permit when required
B) Failure to submit a Tier II report (EPCRA)
C) Improper hazardous waste labeling (RCRA)
D) Discharge without an NPDES permit
Correct answer: A
, Rationale: Each act has different requirements. The
Clean Air Act requires air permits for major sources.
Tier II is EPCRA, RCRA is waste, NPDES is water.
6. A facility is subject to ISO 14001. How often must
management review the EMS?
A) Annually (at planned intervals)
B) Monthly
C) Every 5 years
D) Only after a significant environmental incident
Correct answer: A
Rationale: ISO 14001 requires management review at
planned intervals (typically annually) to ensure
continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness.
7. An environmental systems manager is developing
an EMS for a manufacturing facility. Which of the
following is an example of an "environmental
aspect"?
A) Air emissions from a boiler (NOx, CO2)
B) Wastewater discharge from a cooling tower
C) Hazardous waste generation from a degreasing
operation
SYSTEMS MANAGER EXAM OFFERED BY THE
NATIONAL REGISTRY OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROFESSIONALS | COMPLETE EXAM Q&A
WITH RATIONALES
1. An environmental systems manager is
implementing an Environmental Management System
(EMS) based on ISO 14001. Which of the following is a
key principle of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle?
A) Continuous improvement
B) Management review
C) Environmental policy and planning
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: PDCA includes planning, implementation,
checking, and management review, leading to
continuous improvement.
2. A facility is seeking ISO 14001 certification. Which
of the following is required for the "Environmental
Policy" clause?
A) Commitment to prevention of pollution
,B) Commitment to comply with legal and other
requirements
C) Commitment to continual improvement
D) All of the above
Correct answer: D
Rationale: ISO 14001 requires the environmental
policy to include commitments to compliance,
prevention of pollution, and continual improvement.
3. An environmental systems manager is developing
an EMS. Which of the following is the first step in the
planning phase?
A) Set environmental objectives and targets
B) Identify environmental aspects and impacts
C) Conduct a management review
D) Implement operational controls
Correct answer: B
Rationale: The planning phase begins with identifying
environmental aspects (activities, products, services
that interact with the environment) and their impacts.
,4. A facility has identified its environmental aspects.
Which of the following is a direct environmental
aspect (under the organization's control)?
A) Emissions from a company-owned boiler
B) Supplier's manufacturing processes
C) Customer use of the product
D) Disposal of the product at end-of-life
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Direct aspects are those that the
organization can control (its own operations).
Indirect aspects (supply chain, product use) are also
considered.
5. An environmental systems manager is conducting
a compliance audit. Which of the following is a
potential finding under the Clean Air Act?
A) Operating without a Title V permit when required
B) Failure to submit a Tier II report (EPCRA)
C) Improper hazardous waste labeling (RCRA)
D) Discharge without an NPDES permit
Correct answer: A
, Rationale: Each act has different requirements. The
Clean Air Act requires air permits for major sources.
Tier II is EPCRA, RCRA is waste, NPDES is water.
6. A facility is subject to ISO 14001. How often must
management review the EMS?
A) Annually (at planned intervals)
B) Monthly
C) Every 5 years
D) Only after a significant environmental incident
Correct answer: A
Rationale: ISO 14001 requires management review at
planned intervals (typically annually) to ensure
continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness.
7. An environmental systems manager is developing
an EMS for a manufacturing facility. Which of the
following is an example of an "environmental
aspect"?
A) Air emissions from a boiler (NOx, CO2)
B) Wastewater discharge from a cooling tower
C) Hazardous waste generation from a degreasing
operation
