WHAT IS
ISO 14001:2015
ENVIRONMENTAL
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS

ISO 14001 is an international standard which specifies requirements to Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It is to identify and manage the environmental aspects, impacts and respond to changing environmental conditions in balance with socio-economic needs resulting from their business operations, products and services. EMS can also be integrated with other Management Systems such as Quality Management System, OHSAS, etc.

ISO 14001 also assists organisations to manage ecological risks with more effective and environmental friendly methods to improve overall environmental performance. Environmental Management Systems can be applied to any type of organizations regardless of it sizes, industry and sector. After all, ISO 14001:2015 enables an organization contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.

Benefits ISO 14001:2015

  • Enables organisations to improve its environmental performance.

  • Assures that environmental impact is being monitored, measured and improved.

  • Manage environmental obligations with consistency.

  • Provide competitive advantages by improving efficiencies and reduced costs.

  • Achieve an effective waste management system.

  • Improve environmental performance of supply chain.

  • Improve overall organization image and credibility.

  • Compliance with legal, statutory and regulatory requirements.

  • Gain competitive advantages and new business opportunities.

  • Engage employee and higher rate of success when implementing changes.

ISO 14001:2015 Clauses

  1. Scope
  2. Normative references
  3. Terms and definitions
  4. Environmental Management System Requirements
  5. Leadership
  6. Planning
  7. Support
  8. Operation
  9. Performance Evaluation
  10. Improvement

History of ISO 14001:2015

BSI Group published the world’s first environmental management systems standard, BS 7750 in March 1992, as part of a response to growing concerns on protecting environment. Environmental management had been part of larger systems such as Responsible Care. BS 7750 supplied the template for the development of the ISO 14000 series in 1996.

Larger organizations voluntarily constructed their own EMSs prior to the development of ISO 14000. However, this made comparisons of requirements between companies difficult. Thus, the universal ISO 14000 series was developed as part of the overall management system, that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes, and resources for developing, implementing, achieving, and maintaining the environmental policy.

Why is ISO 14001 Important?

Public sentiments on protecting environment increased globally. ISO 14001 and ISO/TS 16949 environmental management system is becoming even more important as regulators come out with more regulations and policies minimising impact on the earth. Thus, the EMS is important because:

  • Indicates commitment stance on environmental management to stakeholders.

  • Ensures environmental compliance, improves performance and provides systematic approach to environmental issues.

  • More favour towards organisations with an EMS in place to minimise possible negative impact to environment.

  • Able to integrate suppliers into the organization’s business systems and environment friendly awareness.

  • Possibility to lose customers to competitors that have the EMS certification.

  • Indicate commitment to social responsibility and assure processes are handled in the most responsible manner possible.

  • Minimize operations and processes that may negatively affect the environment include air, water, or land.

  • Compliant with applicable laws, regulations, and other environmentally oriented requirements.

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