Elements and Performance Criteria

Process
Process may include:
any manufacturing, logistics, administrative, information technology or business process which may be in a manufacturing value chain
Interactions with the environment
Interactions with the environment may include:
drawing physical resources from the environment
releasing materials to the environment (e.g. emissions)
drawing energy from/releasing energy to the environment
Environmental sensitivities
Environmental sensitivities may include:
fragile areas, rare or threatened species
heritage or cultural sensitivity issues
hazardous emissions
regulated emissions or other regulatory issues
community perceptions or other issues
other issues, such as those identified in ISO 14001 Environmental Standards
Priority rankings
Priority rankings may include:
issues of high impact and high probability of occurrence
issues aligned to organisations strategic direction
issues related to regulatory requirements
Determine
Determining may include:
developing solutions within the scope of skill
discussing issues with relevant experts to develop a solution
undertaking research (literature or physical) within the scope of skill to develop a solution
Sustainability issues
Sustainability issues (as relevant to the work/process area) may include:
need to reduce the carbon footprint of product and process through reduction in use of:
energy
water
raw materials
emissions
embedded carbon in transport, storage, rework and errors, inefficient processes and design, and general facility efficiencies
Sustainability related issues may also exist irrespective of the carbon equivalence aspects of the issue. This may include:
current and future availability of raw materials
current and future availability of energy
extent and type of waste generation and disposal
efficiency of process in terms of consumption of materials and energy regarded as in short supply or which are regarded as environmentally sensitive
the extent to which the production process, product and waste affects the environment, including effects on:
climate
quality of local air and water
ecology
noise
relationship with the local and broader community (e.g. effect of operations on aesthetic appearance, preservation of heritage, proximity to schools, religious facilities, and impact on local residents and infrastructure)
extent of regulatory oversight and extent and cost of compliance
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standards
consumer demand for more sustainable products and processes
ethical supply chain
Desirability ranking
Desirability ranking includes:
direct dollar benefit/cost
customer benefit
stakeholder perception:
shareholders
employees
community
financial community
other
life cycle improvements
compliance with regulations
company sustainability strategy and strategic plans
company commitment to covenants and initiatives
availability of incentives

Overview of assessment
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to evaluate a work area, identify the sustainability issues and propose a range of solutions and strategies to improve sustainability.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
identifying steps in the process and portion of manufacturing value chain
determining ecological and sustainability impacts of processes
determining root causes of impacts
evaluating solution and mitigation strategies.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Method of assessment
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment