All You Need To Know About ISO 14001 Certification

Is your business ready to go green? Environmental responsibility is crucial in today’s world. Implementing eco-friendly practices provides a competitive edge while reducing waste and costs. ISO 14001 Certification is the key. This internationally recognized standard gives you a framework to set and achieve environmental goals. But the path to certification can be tricky. 

This post has everything you need to know to reap the benefits of ISO 14001. We’ll explain what the standard requires and how to meet its criteria. Let’s explore how to make your business both green and lean. 

What is ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 is an international standard for Environmental Management System published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It was first published in 1996 and has been revised several times, with the current version being ISO 14001:2015. It was all about 2015.

At the heart of ISO 14001 is a voluntary standard that organizations can implement. It is meant to make organizations to reduce their environmental impacts. It serves as a guideline for them to develop environmental goals, implement plans to reach such goals, and put in place processes aimed at environmental compliance and perpetual improvement of the EMS.

All other ISO’s standards, however, define the environmental performance criteria needed. It offers guidance, which means that organizations are able to establish their own targets and practices deriving from their operations and law requirements. It is applicable in any organization, whether big or small, in any field and in any part of the world.  

Key Requirements of ISO 14001: 2015

To achieve ISO 14001:2015 Certification, there are several key requirements that organizations must meet:

Environmental policy

Top management must define an environmental policy that outlines the organization’s commitments and intentions to improve environmental performance. This policy should be appropriate to the nature of the organization’s activities and provide a framework for setting objectives.

Environmental aspects

The organization must identify the environmental aspects of its activities, products, and services that it can control and influence. It must then determine which of these aspects have a significant impact on the environment. These are known as significant environmental aspects.

Legal and other requirements

The organization must identify all applicable legal requirements related to its environmental aspects and ensure it complies with them. Other voluntary requirements that the organization chooses to adhere to must also be considered.

Objectives, targets and programs

ISO 14001:2015 requires organizations to set environmental objectives at relevant functions and levels. These objectives should be measurable wherever practicable and take into account the significant environmental aspects identified. Programs are then developed to achieve these targets through designated actions for each objective.

Resources, roles, and responsibility

Top management must ensure resources are available to establish, implement, maintain and improve the EMS. Roles and responsibilities are assigned to personnel who oversee environmental management-related processes.

Competence, training, and awareness

Personnel must have the necessary competence and training to carry out their designated roles. Awareness programs should ensure all employees understand the environmental policy and procedures and how they contribute to achieving objectives.

Benefits of ISO 14001:2015 Certification

There are a number of advantages that come with implementing an ISO 14001:2015 Certified Environmental Management System:

• Improved environmental performance – A key focus of ISO 14001:2015 is enhancing environmental performance over time. This means reduced waste, emissions and resource use through more sustainable operations.
• Legal and regulatory compliance – The standard requires identifying and ensuring compliance with all relevant environmental legislation. This reduces risk of fines and penalties.
• Competitive advantage – Demonstrating sound environmental practices can be a differentiating factor that wins more business from environmentally conscious customers.
• Cost savings – More efficient processes and better energy management delivers cost reductions in resource and utility bills.
• Improved corporate image – ISO 14001:2015 Certification visibility signals to stakeholders your commitment to environmental protection.
• Increased access to tenders and contracts – Some procurement processes require ISO 14001:2015 as an eligibility criterion to bid for work.
• Employee engagement – Employees take pride in working for an environmentally responsible company with shared objectives.

Implementing ISO 14001:2015 provides a systematic framework to improve environmental performance, comply with regulations, reduce costs, drive operational efficiency and boost reputation.

How INTERCERT can help with ISO 14001:2015 Certification

Navigating the complexities of ISO 14001:2015 Certification can be daunting, but with the right partner by your side, the process is streamlined. This is where INTERCERT shines.

With over 14 years of experience under their belt, INTERCERT has walked the ISO 14001:2015 path with thousands of organizations across the globe. Their team of 125+ knowledgeable auditors have conducted certifications in 20+ countries, guiding over 4000 customers to successful ISO 14001:2015 compliance and beyond.

Dual accreditation from renowned bodies like the Standards Council of Canada and Korean Accreditation Board speaks about INTERCERT’s dedication to integrity and impartiality. You can trust their audits and certifications to be unbiased and fair.

But more than just credentials, INTERCERT delivers on a personal level with their customer-centric approach. They make ISO 14001:2015 attainable for organizations of any size, leveraging competitive pricing and digital services to streamline the entire hassle-free certification process.

With global reach and local expertise, INTERCERT gives you the best of both worlds. Their auditors intimately understand the unique needs of your region while applying globally-consistent ISO standards.

At the heart of INTERCERT lies a noble vision – to create a safer, sustainable world by empowering successful businesses. And a clear mission drives them – to provide transparent, value-added certification services so you can achieve your quality and environmental goals.

With INTERCERT as your guide, ISO 14001:2015 Certification is within your reach. Their experience, expertise, and customer focus mean your organization will be in good hands. The assurance of INTERCERT gives you confidence that your Environmental Management System will meet ISO 14001:2015 and open up new opportunities.

Conclusion

ISO 14001:2015 provides organizations an internationally recognized framework to implement an Environmental Management System. By identifying environmental aspects and establishing policies, objectives, and processes to improve environmental performance, organizations can reduce their environmental footprint and comply with regulations. Key benefits of ISO 14001:2015 Certification include cost savings, competitive advantage, risk mitigation, and improved reputation. Partnering with a reliable certification body like INTERCERT ensures an efficient path to ISO 14001:2015 certification and its many benefits. Overall, ISO 14001:2015 provides an effective solution for organizations to implement environmentally sustainable business practices.