ISO 14001:2004 - some simple facts
ISO 14001 deals with environmental management system requirements such as documentation, training, auditing, defining environmental aspects and their impact, performance evaluation, life cycle assessments, leadership, and continuous improvement. It is the intention of this standard to protect the earth’s environment while permitting the expansion of international trade and commerce.
- The guidelines are intended to be practical, useful, and usable for companies of all sizes in manufacturing and service industries.
- ISO 14000 is a series of environmental standards including ISO 14001 which specifies the actual requirements and is auditable, ISO 14004 which provides guidance on development and implementation, ISO 14010/11/12 which are now superseded by ISO 19011 which offers guidelines for management systems auditing.
- An effective EMS certified to ISO 14001 can help an organisation operate in a more cost efficient and environmentally responsible manner by managing its impacts, including those which it can control and influence while also complying with relevant environmental legislation and its own environmental policy.
- The Standard demonstartes compliance with legislative and other requirements by providing a systematic approach for meeting current and identifying future legislation.
- An organization can demonstrate conformance and that it is fulfilling policy commitments and making continual improvement against specific targets to meet overall objectives whilst retaining its competitive edge over non-certified businesses when invited to tender.
- Improvements in the management of environmental risk will be achieved
- There will be increased credibility that comes from independent assessment
- Through the continual improvement requirements of the Standard an organization can achieve more efficient use of raw materials and enhanced performance leading to cost reductions
- The Standard shares common management system principles with ISO 9001 and OHSAS 18001 enabling integration of your quality, environmental and occupational health and safety management systems
- Insurance costs can be reduced when Insurers are offered evidence of an effective and well documented Environmental Management System to the requirements of ISO 14001
- The Standard identifies individual efficiencies that can be achieved by employees and be an aid to motivation
