What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. ISO 14001 is intended for use by an organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.
Before an organization can become certified, it must first demonstrate that it can meet the requirements of ISO 14001 standard. Third-party certification is an independent verification of an organization’s commitment and ability to consistently meet the requirements of the standard.
Key Facts
Current version: ISO 14001:2015
Author: International Standards Organization ‘ISO’
Issued: September 2015
Previous Version: ISO 14001:2004
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It is intended for organizations of all types and sizes, including businesses, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and more. The standard provides a framework that organizations can use to establish and implement an effective environmental management system to address their environmental responsibilities and commitments.
ISO 14001 is applicable to various industries and sectors, including manufacturing, services, construction, and more. It is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the specific context and needs of each organization. The standard helps organizations identify and manage their environmental impacts, improve their environmental performance, and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
ISO 14001 is not a membership scheme and no person can be ISO 14001 certified; only organizations can be certified to ISO 14001. A person may be certified as an ISO 14001 auditor. -
As with all projects a business may choose to initiate, a resource is required, and it is going to cost either time or money. Getting an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System operational within a business will require time; this time can be allocated internally or can be assigned to an external consultant for a fee. It’s worth noting that external consultants will still require an amount of involvement from employees to get the system implemented. The amount of work required will vary depending on the size and complexity of the business.
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All accredited certification bodies must use the same formula to establish the duration of audits required to effectively implement and maintain certification for any given organization. This formula is provided by the International Accreditation Forum and can be found here: IAF MD5.
Organizational attributes that directly affect the cost of certification are: Number of staff, number of operational shifts, number of operational locations, size of locations and overall risk associated with the nature of the organization. -
Improved Environmental Performance
Consistent Regulatory Compliance
Reduced Costs
Enhanced Reputation
Competitive Advantage
Risk Management
Greater Stakeholder Engagement
