ISO 14001:2015 – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

 

ISO 14001:2015 – ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS?

ISO 14001 is the global standard that outlines the necessary elements for a successful environmental management system (EMS). It offers a structure that organizations can adopt instead of setting specific environmental performance standards.

 

ISO 14001 belongs to the ISO 14000 series of standards focused on environmental management. It is a non-mandatory standard that organizations can choose to achieve certification. By combining it with other management system standards, such as ISO 9001, it can help organizations achieve their objectives more effectively.

 

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), an environmental management system is "a component of the management system designed to handle environmental aspects, meet regulatory requirements, and identify and seize opportunities and mitigate risks." The structure provided by the ISO 14001 standard can be applied in a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle for ongoing improvement.

Any company looking to establish, enhance, or sustain an environmental management system to align with its defined environmental policy and standards should adopt ISO 14001:2015. This standard can be integrated into any environmental management system, varying in its level of implementation based on various factors such as the company's sector, environmental policy, products and services provided, and geographical location.