What is ISO 14001?

• ISO 14001 sets out the requirements for an Environmental management system that can be integrated with other management requirements to help organizations achieve both their economic and Environmental goals.
• The main focus of the standard is the identification and assessment of Environmental aspects, thus organizations seek to reduce the negative impacts of their activities.
• ISO 14001 is applicable to any organization, regardless of its size, scope, level of development or location, that wishes to improve its Environmental performance.

• first edition since 1996;
• update in 2004;
• new version, published on 15.09.2015.

• Defining the context of the organization and the risks that could affect the achievement of goals and increase Environmental performance;
• Assessing and managing risks related to threats and opportunities;
• Voluntary commitment to the Environment and active exchange of information with interested parties;
• Focus on the responsibility of senior management to take the lead in improving Environmental performance;
• Concept for the product life cycle, including post-delivery, use and disposal activities
• Strengthening control over outsourced processes;
• Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties. The circle of stakeholders is expanding – in addition to the client (according to ISO 9001) and employees, the interests of external parties are considered here – partners, suppliers, visitors, neighbours, local residents, control authorities, investors, NGOs;
• The standard does not define specific performance indicators for the Environment, but requires the organization to determine its measurable indicators for assessing the implementation of objectives, which should be objective, verifiable and reproducible;
• There is a very good regulatory framework for its implementation;
• Engages all levels of staff in the organization, for example in terms of waste management.
• Great attention is paid to the physical condition of the organization and the actual implementation of the requirements, for example in terms of cleanliness, separation in waste collection, storage of hazardous substances and more.
• The circle of ecologically engaged companies is expanded by setting requirements for suppliers and subcontractors in terms of the Environment;
• ISO 14001 creates mechanisms for self-control in the organization - monitoring, conformity assessment and internal audits.

• The trust of partners and external interested parties increases;
• The implementation of ISO 14001 allows the organization to manage its Environmental aspects, which leads to better Environmental performance;
• The risk of Environmental accidents is minimized and their consequences are reduced;
• The Environmental awareness of employees increases, changing their thinking and habits and transferring good "green" practices outside the organization;
• Efficient control of resource consumption leads to cost reduction;
• Identifying all the requirements applicable to the organization helps to obtain permits and comply with legal requirements;
• The effective implementation completely eliminates the risk of sanctions by control authorities.

ISO 14001 Environmental management systems. Requirements with guidance for use