ISO 14001:2015

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ISO 14001:2015

WHAT IS ISO 14001:2015?

ISO 14001:2015 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. ISO 14001:2015 is intended for use by an organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.

ISO 14001:2015 helps an organization achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management system, which provide value for the environment, the organization itself and interested parties. Consistent with the organization's environmental policy, the intended outcomes of an environmental management system include:

  • enhancement of environmental performance;
  • fulfilment of compliance obligations;
  • achievement of environmental objectives.

ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to any organization, regardless of size, type and nature, and applies to the environmental aspects of its activities, products and services that the organization determines it can either control or influence considering a life cycle perspective. ISO 14001:2015 does not state specific environmental performance criteria.

ISO 14001:2015 can be used in whole or in part to systematically improve environmental management. Claims of conformity to ISO 14001:2015, however, are not acceptable unless all its requirements are incorporated into an organization's environmental management system and fulfilled without exclusion.

WHAT TOPIC UNDER ISO 14001:2015?

  • Context of the organization
  • Leadership
  • Planning
  • Support
  • Operation
  • Performance evaluation
  • Improvement

BENEFITS OF ISO 14001:2015

  • Improve resource efficiency
  • Reduce waste
  • Drive down costs
  • Provide assurance that environmental impact is being measured
  • Gain competitive advantage in supply chain design
  • Increase new business opportunities
  • Meet legal obligations
  • Increase stakeholder and customer trust
  • Improve overall environmental impact
  • Manage environmental obligations with consistency 

ADVANTAGES OF ISO 14001

ISO 14001 registration can improve your organization’s bottom line through improved environmental performance. A properly designed environmental management system (EMS) is a tool which enables an organization to achieve and systematically control its level of environmental performance. The EMS triggers procedural and technological changes that can reduce production costs. The requirement for continuous improvement in environmental impacts drives more productive use of all inputs, including raw materials, energy and labor. Reducing pollution means improved productivity and more efficient use of resources.

AUDITING

ISO 14001 has two main categories of audits: internal and external. Audits are a key component for becoming ISO certified and you must have internal auditors, and pass the 2-stage registrar audit by an external party in order to become ISO 14001 Certified. Below we will break down the different ways audits can be conducted and discuss internal, external and certification audits.

The three ways audits can be conducted are:

  • On-site audits are performed in full days. The number of days needed for an audit depends on several factors including size, complexity, risk, and nature of an organization. The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has provided guidelines for registrars to calculate audit time.
  • Remote audits may be performed via web meetings, teleconferencing or electronic verification of processes. Remote audits are less common and typically not as effective as on-site audits.
  • Self-audits do not always mean an internal audit. A self-audit can be requested of your customer to eliminate the need for them to use their resources and still offer some assurance that you are meeting requirements.

LIST OF ISO 14000 SERIES STANDARDS

  • ISO 14001 Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use
  • ISO 14004 Environmental management systems - General guidelines on implementation
  • ISO 14005 Environmental management systems - Guidelines for a flexible approach to phased implementation
  • ISO 14006 Environmental management systems - Guidelines for incorporating ecodesign
  • ISO 14015 Environmental management - Environmental assessment of sites and organizations (EASO)
  • ISO 14020 to 14025 Environmental labels and declarations
  • ISO/NP 14030 Green bonds -- Environmental performance of nominated projects and assets; discusses post-production environmental assessment
  • ISO 14031 Environmental management - Environmental performance evaluation – Guidelines
  • ISO 14040 to 14049 Environmental management - Life cycle assessments; discusses pre-production planning and environment goal setting
  • ISO 14050 Environmental management - Vocabulary; terms and definitions
  • ISO/TR 14062 Environmental management - Integrating environmental aspects into product design and development
  • ISO 14063 Environmental management - Environmental communication - Guidelines and examples
  • ISO 14064 Greenhouse gases; measuring, quantifying, and reducing greenhouse gas emmission
  • ISO 14090 Adaptation to climate change — Principles, requirements and guidelines

CRITICISMS OF ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION

One of the main criticisms of ISO 14001 refers to its questionable potential to develop a firm's capacity related to the reductions in negative environmental impacts, which can cannibalize confidence in the standard as a consequence of providing a symbolic signaling of the environmental behaviour of the firm.

ISO 14001:2015 EMS — REQUIREMENT

  • Scope of the EMS 
  • Environmental Policy
  • Risk and Opportunities to be Addressed and Processes Needed 
  • Criteria for Evaluation of Significant Environmental Aspects 
  • Environmental Aspects with Associated Environmental Impacts
  • Significant Environmental Aspects 
  • Compliance Obligations Document 
  • Environmental Objectives and Plans for Achieving Them 
  • Operational Control
  • Emergency Preparedness and Response

MANDATORY DOCUMENTS

  • Records of Training, Skills, Experience and Qualifications
  • Evidence of Communication
  • Monitoring and Measurement Results
  • Evidence of the Compliance Evaluation Result(s)
  • Internal Audit Program
  • Results of Internal Audits
  • Results of the Management Review
  • Results of Corrective Actions

NON-MANDATORY DOCUMENTS

There are numerous non-mandatory documents that can be used for ISO 14001 implementation. Although they are not required, I find these non-mandatory documents to be most commonly used:

  • Procedure for Determining Context of the Organization and Interested Parties
  • Procedure for Identification and Evaluation of Environmental Aspects and Risks
  • Competence, Training and Awareness procedure
  • Procedure for Communication 
  • Procedure for Document and Record control
  • Procedure for Internal Audit
  • Procedure for Management Review
  • Procedure for Management of Nonconformities and Corrective actions

FAQ

ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). It provides a framework that an organization can follow, rather than establishing environmental performance requirements.
An environmental management system (EMS) can be developed in compliance with the ISO 14001 standard as part of an organization’s strategy to implement its environmental policy and address governmental regulations. An EMS focuses resources on meeting the commitments identified in the organization’s policy, which could include reducing or eliminating the negative environmental impacts of its products, services, and activities and/or increasing their positive effects.
The objective of ISO 14001 EMS is to provide an organization with a framework to protect the environment and act on changing the environmental conditions of the workplace with socio-economic needs. It specifies all the requirements that assist an organization in achieving the goal set for its environmental management system.
The main goal of ISO 14001 is to give businesses the tools they need to minimize their environmental impacts. In a world facing increasingly serious environmental challenges, ISO 14001 encourages organizations to look outward, protecting the environment and recognizing the impacts the environment has on business. Specific environmental benefits that come with an environmental management system include reduced waste, sustainable supply chain management and reduced carbon emissions. In addition to benefiting the environment, achieving ISO 14001 certification can benefit your business by: • Helping you save money through efficient water and energy use • Earning you more business from environmentally conscious clients • Improving your reputation with existing clients, customers and other stakeholders • Helping you achieve legal compliance with environmental regulations
ISO 14001 certification can benefit businesses and organizations of all sizes. Whether you want to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability or reduce costs by using resources more efficiently, you should consider starting the ISO 14001 certification process. Examples of industries that could benefit from ISO 14001 environmental management systems include construction, automotive, electronic and telecommunication and engineering. At Realcare Certification Pvt Ltd, we provide ISO 14001 certification and auditing for businesses in a wide range of sectors.
The ISO 14001 certification process requires you to implement the standard in your organization and complete a successful two-part audit. After the initial certification audit, you will also need to complete yearly surveillance audits and a recertification audit every three years to maintain your certification. The amount of time it will take to obtain certification will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your organization, your current level of compliance, your level of risk and more. Trying to understand the requirements for ISO 14001 certification on your own can be challenging. If you think you may need a consultant to assist with the process, Join Consultant can help you find one.
There is an Implementation Plan available for all staff to review via this Website. Essentially, the environmental information system is fully integrated into our normal reporting procedures
The validity period of ISO 14001 certification: Environmental Management System is 3 years, subject to annual monitoring audits. Renewal of the certification requires a renewal audit, which is performed by a different auditor and which aims to confirm that there is no major non-conformity with the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard
To obtain ISO 14001 certification, Apave Certification supports you during the 6 stages leading to the issue of the certificate: 1. Initial certification request. 2. Scheduling of the audit between the audited organisation & Apave Certification. 3. Initial certification audit. 4. Certification decision. 5. Issuance of the certificate, once you have been ISO certified. 6. Annual follow-up audit to check for any non-conformities.
The average amount of time it takes to design, implement and certify for ISO 14001 can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the size and complexity of the organization. It is therefore essential that there is a reliable hand guiding and recording every step of the process. A monitoring system drastically reduces human error, and provides a central database that collects and records all documentation (Procedures, manuals, emergency plans, checklists, records, etc.). The larger an organization, the greater the amount of documentation to review, update and control. ISO will also require much, if not all recorded documentation. A monitoring system can aid in all these aspects, as well as providing a rapid turnaround time in the generation of new or updated documents.
The ISO 14001:2015 standard requires organisations to focus on assessing and managing environmental risks. ISO 14001 risk management is designed to foster an environment of continual improvement. There is a positive environmental impact if risks are identified and managed correctly. Risk assessment is among the most critical elements of an environmental management system’s performance
Mandatory documents needed to be produced in case of ISO 14001 EMS: • Scope of EMS • Environmental Policy • Risk and Opportunities to be Addressed and Processes • Criteria for Evaluation of Significant Environmental Aspects • Environmental Aspects with Associated Environmental Impacts • Significant Environmental Aspects • Compliance Obligations Document • Environmental Objectives and Plans for Achieving Them • Operational Control • Emergency Preparedness and Response • Records of Training, Skills, Experience and Qualifications • Evidence of Communication • Monitoring and Measurement Results • Evidence of the Compliance Evaluation Result • Internal Audit Program • Results of Internal Audits • Results of the Management Review • Results of Corrective Actions

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