ISO 14001 Certification
Updated: Feb 22, 2022
The ISO 14001:2004 Standard is a framework for Environmental Management that the International Organization for Standardization has published in 1996 and revised in November 2004. The ISO 14001: 2004 Standard sets out the requirements for an Environmental Management System (EMS) which can be employed by an organization to measure and document their environmental foot prints.
The ISO 14001 Standard is based on the principle of continual improvement of an organization’s Environmental Performance. The standard utilizes the business concept of ‘Plan – Do – Check – Act’. It consists of a set of requirements that a company has to address and implement in its business activities to continually improve environmental commitments.
The ISO 14001:2004 Standard is applicable to any business that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system and conform to its stated environmental policy.
ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) and the most widely used EMS in the world, with over 360,000 ISO 14001 certificates issued globally. ISO 14001 is the principal management system standard which specifies the requirements for the formulation and maintenance of an EMS.
ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Certificate
The adverse environmental impact of business activities is increasing at a very fast pace. To reduce carbon footprints and go green, businesses must voluntarily opt in for the ISO 14001:2015 Standard. It helps in incorporating environmental management along with the regular business activities. It enhances the environmental responsibility of the organization and helps protect nature.
ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Certification – Key Benefits
Reduce Cost
The ISO 14001:2015 Standard lists down of few requirements that will help in optimizing the use of raw materials and reducing cost. The continuous improvement in a business process compliant to the ISO 14001:2015 will result in business sustainability with a green footprint.
Manage Legal Compliance
The ISO 14001:2015 Standard helps in reducing the effort required to manage the legal compliance of business activity that affects the environment. It helps in improving the management of your environmental risks.
Reduce Duplication
The Environmental Management System requirements can be integrated with other management standards to build a single business system. Thus, avoiding duplication efforts and cost of process improvements while implementing any other ISO Standards.
Also, the environmental responsibility will be continually applied to the regular business operations by complying to the standard.
Brand Image and Credibility
The ISO 14001:2015 Standard is a voluntary certification any organization could comply to. The social responsibility and concern about environmental practices of the companies will be highly appreciated by customers and clients.
It provides an assurance as the brand is environmentally friendly. It helps in building community relations and a social responsibility. It helps reduce risks related to any loss of reputation due to non-compliance with environmental policies.
Seamless Integration
The ISO 14001:2015 Standard is based on the management process of ‘Plan-Do-Check-Act’ and is in sync with other ISO Standard. Hence it enables seamless integration with the ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health & Safety) and other management based Standards.
Key Changes to ISO 14001:2015 Standard from ISO 14001:2004 Standard:
The key changes related to the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Certification are:
The High-Level Structure and terminologies of the ISO standard are amended. It is made more compatible with other management systems.
Increased prominence of environmental management within the organization's strategic planning processes.
Greater focus on leadership and responsibility.
Addition of proactive initiatives to protect the environment from harm and degradation, such as sustainable resource use, climate change mitigation, etc.
Improving environmental performance and Lifecycle thinking when considering environmental aspects.
Addition of a communications strategy and improving the social image.