The internationally recognised ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard is generic. It is applicable to any type of organisation in any industry sector. Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), it is based on the two concepts of continual improvement and regulatory compliance.
Elements of the standard
It contains the core elements for an effective Environmental Management System. It can be applied to both service and manufacturing sectors. The standard requires a company to define environmental objectives and targets, and the management system necessary to attain these targets. Furthermore, the standard requires that the company adheres to that systems processes, procedures, and activities.
The main elements of the standard are:
- environmental policy
- planning
- implementation and operation
- checking and corrective action
- management review
Gradually growing greener
The standard requires organisations to identify all environmental impacts and associated aspects, and then implement actions to improve processes in prioritised areas with significant aspects. ISO 14001 lays forth a best practice for proactive management of the environmental impact of your organisation. When you have an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System you go beyond mere compliance. Your focus becomes continual improvement.
New ISO 14001 version
ISO 14001:1996 has been revised. The new version, ISO 14001:2004, was published on November 15, 2004. A parallel revision process has been followed for ISO 14004, a document providing general guidelines on environmental management systems.
The new version contains many improvements and changes, and the main aim of the revision has been to:
- improve compatibility with ISO 9001, and
- clarify requirements.
The new standard does not imply any major changes in requirements. However, you ought to review your systems, as some changes to the standard may require amendments of your environmental management system to ensure conformance with ISO 14001.
Where do I go from here?
For third party certification, you need to implement an effective Environmental Management System complying with the requirements of the Standard. The first step is to get on the road to certification.
