We use this procedure to set out exactly how environmental spills are prevented and dealt with - drains, watercourses, soil, the lot. It is the document we walk staff through and the one the auditor uses to evidence pollution prevention and response under clause 8.2.
This policy-procedure template is supplied in fully editable MS Word format and can be easily customised and edited. The document uses pre-defined style formatting throughout, with all text in Calibri font for improved readability.
The following document labelling is included in the footer:
- Procedure number and title
- Information-classification
- Version
- Page number / total pages
An amendment record is included so changes between issues can be tracked.
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Further guidance on environmental spill prevention and response:
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Environmental Spills Policy Procedure Template
The PP-6-05 Environmental Spills Policy Procedure sets out how the organisation prevents spills from occurring and responds when they do. It is the operational document that turns the company's environmental policy commitments into the day-to-day arrangements that staff and contractors are expected to follow when handling, storing or moving substances that could cause pollution.
The procedure addresses spill prevention, spill kit selection and placement, the immediate response steps, containment, reporting, clean-up, waste arrangements, and post-incident review - so the company can evidence pollution prevention and emergency response under ISO 14001 clauses 8.1 and 8.2.
What the Procedure Covers
PP-6-05 is structured as a single spill procedure with topic sections, so staff and auditors can find the relevant arrangements without navigating multiple documents:
- Spill Prevention - storage, bunding, inspections and handling controls that reduce the likelihood of a spill
- Spill Kits - selection, contents, placement and inspection of spill kits sized for the volumes held
- Immediate Response - the stop, contain, notify, clean-up sequence staff are trained to follow
- Containment - drain seals, absorbents and bunds to prevent the spill reaching surface water drains, watercourses or soil
- Reporting - internal incident reporting and the threshold for notifying the environmental regulator (Environment Agency, SEPA, NRW, NIEA)
- Clean-up - safe clean-up techniques, PPE, and segregation of contaminated absorbents
- Waste Arrangements - classification and disposal of spill waste, with cross-reference to PP-6-02 for the wider waste route
- Post-Incident Review - investigating the root cause, capturing lessons learned, and updating preventative arrangements
Aligned with ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 14001:2026
PP-6-05 has been refreshed for the current edition of the standard and remains aligned with both ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 14001:2026. The underlying spill prevention and response arrangements have not changed significantly between the two editions, so the procedure is suitable for organisations certified to either version - whether you are on the 2015 standard, working through the transition or already operating against 2026.
Spill prevention and response evidences clauses 8.1 and 8.2 of ISO 14001 and supports the pollution-prevention commitment in the environmental policy. The refresh picks up the broader environmental scope introduced at clause 4.1 in ISO 14001:2026, where the protection of water, soil and biodiversity sits naturally.
How It Fits with the Other Environmental Procedures
PP-6-05 is one of the operational procedures introduced by PP-6-01 Environmental Management and supplied alongside it in the toolkit:
- PP-6-02 Environmental Waste Management
- PP-6-03 Environmental Oils, Chemicals and COSHH
- PP-6-04 Environmental Emergency Response
- PP-6-06 Environmental Energy Management
If you prefer a single document rather than the procedure stack, the PP-6-100 Environmental Management Policy Procedure combines spills with the other operational topics into one consolidated procedure.
Who Needs a Spills Procedure?
Every organisation operating an ISO 14001 environmental management system that holds, handles or moves substances that could cause pollution needs a documented spill procedure. PP-6-05 is suitable for SMEs running an environmental management system in isolation or as part of an integrated management system. It is particularly important for organisations holding bulk oils, fuels or chemicals, sites with surface water drains discharging to watercourses, and operations involving vehicle refuelling or chemical transfer.
Included in Every ISO 14001 Toolkit
This procedure is included in every alphaZ ISO 14001 toolkit and integrated toolkit covering environmental management. If you are building or rebuilding a management system, the toolkit route is the most efficient way to get the full set of documents you need.
Works with the Environmental Policy
PP-6-05 sits alongside the P-2 Environmental Policy. The policy is the top-level statement of commitment approved by top management; the policy-procedure is the operating document that turns those commitments into the day-to-day arrangements staff and contractors are expected to follow to prevent spills and respond when one occurs.