ISO 14000
 
 

ISO 14000

  

ISO 14000, the environmental management system family of standards, was formally published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on September 2, 1996. ISO 14001 is the conformance standard within the ISO 14000 series. After extensive groundwork, the revised version of ISO 14001 was released on 15th of November 2004. ISO 14001:2004 will replace ISO 14001:1996 after a transition period of 18 months, ending on 14th May 2006, and will become the basis for the certification procedure for environmental management. All ISO 14001:1996 certificates will be rendered invalid on 15th May 2006.

Since 1996 the ISO 14001 has formed the basis for structuring, implementation, review and further development of environmental management systems. It lays down the applicable demands for organizations of all kinds and sizes as well as for diverse geographical, cultural and social conditions. The overall objective is to promote environmental protection and the prevention of environmental stress in harmony with economic, social and political requirements.

   
  • Integration with ISO 9000
  • ISO 14000 Standard
  • 10 Steps to ISO 14001
  • Advantages & Benefits of ISO 14000
  • Combining your Certifications
 
 

Integration with ISO 9000

If your organization is already compliant with ISO 9000, you are well on your way. An ISO 14001 system can be easily integrated with an existing quality management system that is based on the ISO 9000 standard. There are a number of common elements within both the ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 management system standards, including: Document Control, Training, Corrective Action, Records Management, Calibration, Internal Audits and Management Review. Companies can either develop completely separate EMS components, or choose to integrate an ISO 14001-driven EMS with an ISO 9000 quality management system.

 

ISO 14000 Standard

The standard is divided in to two categories:

Organization Evaluation - includes Environmental Management System (EMS), Environmental Audits and Environmental Performance Evaluation (EPE).

Product Evaluation - Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental labeling and Environmental aspects in product standards (EAPS).

The elements of ISO 14001 provide diverse organizations a framework for managing and continually improving their environmental programs. Utilization of ISO 14001 merges environmental programs into one coherent system to efficiently manage all environmental activities. The structure of ISO 14001 is very similar to ISO 9001. The five major elements of the standard are:

4.1 General Requirements - Defines the system layout.

4.2 Environmental Policy.

4.3 Planning - Includes environmental aspects, legal and other requirements, objectives and targets and environmental management programs.

4.4 Implementation and operation - Includes structure and responsibility, training, awareness and competence, communication, environmental management system documentation, document control, operation control, and emergency preparedness and response systems.

4.5 Checking and Corrective action - Includes monitoring and measurement of non-conformance and corrective and preventive action, records and environmental system audit.

4.6 Management review - The standard is viewed in Europe as meeting a major component of Eco- Management and audit regulation (EMAR), a European directive for continuous environmental performance improvement by industrial organizations.

 

10 Steps to ISO 14001

  1. Obtain management commitment

  2. Develop steering committee

  3. Gather environmental aspect - impact data

  4. Develop environmental policy/goals

  5. Evaluate applicability of legal requirements, its compliance and existing programs against ISO 14001

  6. Develop action plan

  7. Analyze and undertake changes addressing 14001

  8. Perform internal audits against 14001

  9. Evaluate system performance through Management Review and correct management system deficiencies

  10. Achieve accredited third party ISO 14001 certification.

 

Advantages & Benefits of ISO 14000

Customer, employees, stockholders and competitors will develop a new level of respect for you as you demonstrate your commitment to the environment.

Advantages

  • Risk Reduction: Environmental legal liability; accidents and environmental damage
  • Cost Reduction: Insurance premiums; waste handling and disposal costs; reduction in air and water permitting fees
  • Competitive Advantage: Improved corporate image; strategic investment; improved regulatory relations

 

Combining your Certifications

Many companies have seen that combining ISO 9000 procedural development with ISO 14001 procedure development saves significant resource as well as more closely links these critical managemsent systems. Likewise, our unique International Choice Mark has been created for our clients to show their customers their high level of commitment to management systems excellence by combining their ISO 9000, ISO 14001, automotive  (TS 16949 / QS 9000) and product certifications together in a single, distinctive mark. There is no better way to show your commitment to the world and differentiate your product offerings.

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