ISO 14001 is an international Standard that specifies the requirements for a structured management approach to environmental protection.
Its purpose is to enable an organisation of any type or size to develop and implement a policy that is committed to environmental responsibility; such as resource sustainability, prevention of pollution, climate change mitigation and minimisation of environmental impact.
Why Environmental Management is Important
A management system which adopts ISO 14001 not only safeguards the organisation’s business strategies now and in the future, but also demonstrates to stakeholders a commitment to environmental performance improvement.
Benefits of ISO 14001 Certification
- Improved corporate citizenship and social responsibility within an environmental context
- Demonstration of compliance to regulatory requirements
- Demonstration of environmental management with the very recognisable “Five Tick” Standards Mark
- Proactive risk management from environmental impact
- Achieve long-term business strategies by safeguarding resource management
- Competitive advantage and broadened market scope for contracts and tenders (especially government)
- Encouragement of improved environmental performance through the supply chain.
- ISO 14001:2015 is now available
The ISO 14001 Environment Management System - Requirements Standard has been significantly updated to meet current market best practice.
What are the main changes from ISO 14001:2004?
ISO 14001:2015 significantly differs from the 2004 edition, with:
- More emphasis on leadership and commitment
- A new structure to align management systems Standards
- Increased importance on environmental management in strategic planning
- More proactive requirements to protect the environment
- Addition of improving environmental performance
- Introduction of a communications strategy
- Distinction of ‘lifecycle thinking’ when considering the environment.
