ISO 14001 is the international quality standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to help organizations minimize their environmental impact. The standard also aims to assist companies in complying with legislative requirements and achieving their sustainability goals.
This standard is part of the ISO 14000 family, which is entirely focused on environmental management. Like ISO 9001, it is a voluntary standard, and interested organizations must request certification from third-party organizations.
According to the International Organization for Standardization, an EMS is part of a management system used to manage environmental aspects, fulfill compliance obligations, and address risks or opportunities in the field of sustainability.
The framework covers various aspects, including resource use waste management, and environmental performance monitoring. Implementing ISO 14001 can provide assurance to stakeholders that the organization is measuring and improving its environmental impact.
What is an environmental management system and why is it Important?
An Environmental Management System (EMS) integrates policies, procedures, and processes for training personnel, monitoring, and reporting on an organization’s environmental performance.
The International Organization for Standardization states that organizations of all sizes can benefit from implementing an EMS, whether they are private, non-profit, or governmental.
For its implementation, the organization’s top management must consider environmental issues relevant to its operations. This includes issues such as waste management, soil contamination, climate change mitigation, resource efficiency, and air and water pollution.
Benefits of ISO 14001 certification
Climate change has already triggered red alerts from the UN, as various countries have experienced record-high temperatures in recent years. In this context, it is common to see federal and state governments introducing new legislation to protect the environment, in an attempt to curb this scenario.
ISO 14001 appears as a providential solution for companies seeking to comply with these laws, in addition to demonstrating to customers and partners that they are doing their part to preserve the environment.
Check out the main benefits of this standard for your organization:
- Compliance with current and future regulations: being a process-based environmental management system, ISO 14001 allows you to identify, monitor, or eliminate negative environmental impacts in the short and long term.
- Increased leadership and employee engagement: its implementation requires active participation from top management and involves employees in creating a more inclusive and participative work environment.
- Improved reputation: Reducing your organization’s negative environmental impact helps improve your image and relationship with regulatory agencies, partners, customers, and local communities.
- Achievement of strategic objectives: incorporating environmental problem-solving into your corporate management provides accurate data to identify problems and resolve them quickly. Along with data monitoring, this will allow you to achieve your goals more easily.
- Competitive and financial advantages: by making your processes more efficient and reducing your operating costs, your organization can achieve better financial health and higher profits at the end of the fiscal year.
- Greater Success in implementing changes: your company will collect data more accurately, allowing you to monitor your performance more effectively and increase your chances of successful transformations. When mistakes are made, it will be possible to use this data to identify and correct them more quickly.
- Easier bid application: having the certification shows that your organization is committed to sustainability. Even if ISO 14001 is not a bid requirement, good environmental management tends to result in better relationships with regulatory agencies and greater ease in obtaining partnerships.
What are the requirements of ISO 14001?
To implement ISO 14001, you must meet six requirements defined by the International Organization for Standardization. So be prepared to implement an environmental policy in your company, always with the philosophy of continuous improvement for your Environmental Management Plan.
Here are the six requirements for ISO 14001 certification:
1. Implement an environmental policy
The first step is to develop and implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) aligned with the guidelines of the International Organization for Standardization. You can purchase the official PDF with all the necessary information to implement the standard on the ISO official website.
At the time this article was written, the documentation cost SFr 150, equivalent to about US$ 170. The latest certification standard is ISO 14001:2015, published in its 3rd edition in 2015, with review and confirmation by the ISO Council in 2021.
2. Assess the environmental aspects and impacts of your organization
Environmental aspects include all operations of your company that affect the environment. This includes energy use, waste production, and greenhouse gas emissions.
After identifying all these factors, you should assess their environmental impact, prioritizing them according to a risk-scoring system. ISO provides the flexibility to create your own assessment method, but it must analyze the likelihood and severity of these potential impacts.
3. Define sustainability goals and objectives
Set data-driven objectives, monitoring high-risk activities in your scoring system. Whenever possible, the goals should be quantifiable.
For example, you can track your organization’s monthly electricity consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Another possibility would be to document how many tons of solid waste were generated per month in your factories and offices.
Through these goals, you can generate data that will help your management team make informed decisions to make your business more sustainable. Use this information to justify investments in more efficient strategies.
4. Implement operational controls
The International Organization for Standardization requires that you implement appropriate operational controls to manage the environmental aspects of your company. This ensures that you can meet both legal and environmental requirements.
You will need to create the necessary documentation to ensure that operational controls comply with all legal obligations. This is essential so that internal, external, and outsourced processes are well-defined—addressing training, implementation, and review needs.
For example, consider an oil refinery with bulk oil storage. In this case, it is necessary to have controls for filling operations, decantations, and spill clean-up.
5. Monitor and measure performance
Now that your Environmental Management System has been implemented, it’s time to monitor and measure its performance. Keep records of these assessments and ensure that your organization is maintaining appropriate control of its processes.
To do this, you need to define what, how, and when to measure each element. Track key performance indicators (KPIs), conduct internal audits, and ensure compliance with legislation.
6. Conduct continuous improvement of your EMS
Conduct reviews and assessments of your Environmental Management System to identify opportunities for improvement. Your organization should implement corrective and preventive actions based on the results of audits and performance analyses.
Remember to maintain contact and communication with stakeholders regarding the EMS. Employees, customers, and suppliers can offer valuable insights to reduce your company’s environmental impact. This way, you will always be on the right track to increasing the effectiveness of your EMS.
Who certifies ISO 14001 in the United States?
Just like with ISO 9001, the International Organization for Standardization only develops and publishes the standard but does not participate in the certification process.
Organizations that wish to obtain ISO 14001 certification in the United States need to contact one of the Environmental Management System Certification Bodies accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board).
Today, there are numerous accredited entities to carry out this process in the U.S. To check the complete list, visit the ANAB website.
Conclusion
Implementing ISO 14001 in your organization is not only a step towards sustainability but also a great strategy to address contemporary environmental challenges. By adopting this standard, your company demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility, meets legal requirements, and improves its market reputation.
Compliance with ISO 14001 facilitates meeting current and future environmental regulations, ensuring that your organization is always ahead of legislative changes.
Therefore, ISO 14001 is an opportunity for your organization to stand out and thrive in a world increasingly aware of climate challenges. By integrating this standard into your corporate strategy, you contribute to a more sustainable and secure future for all.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the ISO 14001 standard:
What are the three basic requirements of ISO 14001?
Your organization’s environmental policy should be appropriate to the nature, environmental impacts, and scale of your activities. It should follow a philosophy of continuous improvement, pollution prevention, and compliance with legal requirements.
What is the difference between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001?
ISO 14001 focuses on your company’s environmental management, ensuring that it has the least possible impact on the environment. ISO 9001, on the other hand, is centered on quality management, certifying that your products and services meet customer expectations.
What are the benefits of implementing ISO 14001?
Implementing ISO 14001 helps your organization improve its environmental performance, reduce waste, and promote the efficient use of resources. Additionally, it enhances your company’s reputation and ensures compliance with legislation.
Looking for better efficiency and compliance in your operations? Our experts can help identify the best strategies for your company with SoftExpert solutions. Contact us today!
