Environmental Management Systems
ISO 14001:2015 is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). Like ISO 9001:2015, it is part of the ISO 14000 family of standards published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO 14001:2015 provides a framework for organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve an effective environmental management system.
The standard is designed to help organizations identify and manage their environmental impacts, reduce their resource consumption, prevent pollution, and comply with applicable environmental regulations. ISO 14001:2015 takes a proactive approach to environmental management, encouraging organizations to consider environmental factors in their business practices and decision-making processes.
Key elements of ISO 14001:2015 include:
- Environmental Policy: Establishing a clear and concise policy that outlines the organization's commitment to environmental protection and compliance.
- Planning: Identifying environmental aspects, setting environmental objectives, and developing plans to achieve these objectives.
- Implementation and Operation: Allocating resources, defining responsibilities, and implementing the environmental management system across the organization.
- Management Review: Periodically reviewing the performance and effectiveness of the EMS at the highest management levels.
ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to organizations of all sizes and industries, whether they are public or private, for-profit or nonprofit. By adopting ISO 14001:2015, organizations can improve their environmental performance, demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices, and gain a competitive advantage in the market. Like other ISO management system standards, achieving ISO 14001:2015 certification involves undergoing an external audit by a certification body to verify compliance with the standard’s requirements.