BS EN ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems

Standard Number: BS EN ISO 14001:2015

Pages: 48

Released: 2015-09-30

ISBN: 978 0 580 82611 5

Status: Standard

Overview

The BS EN ISO 14001:2015 is a globally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It provides a framework that organizations can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. This standard is designed to help businesses improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage and the trust of stakeholders.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Guidance: The standard offers detailed guidance on how to implement an environmental management system that aligns with your organization's strategic direction.
• Risk-Based Thinking: Emphasizes the importance of risk management and encourages organizations to identify and address potential environmental risks and opportunities.
• Leadership Commitment: Highlights the role of leadership in promoting environmental management and ensuring the integration of EMS into business processes.
• Lifecycle Perspective: Encourages organizations to consider the environmental impacts of their products and services throughout their lifecycle.
• Continuous Improvement: Focuses on the ongoing improvement of environmental performance and compliance with applicable legal and other requirements.

Benefits of Implementing BS EN ISO 14001:2015

Implementing the BS EN ISO 14001:2015 standard can bring numerous benefits to your organization, including:

• Enhanced Environmental Performance: By following the guidelines, organizations can improve their environmental performance, leading to reduced waste and energy consumption.
• Regulatory Compliance: Helps ensure compliance with current and future statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Improved Stakeholder Relationships: Demonstrates a commitment to environmental responsibility, enhancing relationships with customers, regulators, and the community.
• Cost Savings: Through efficient resource use and waste reduction, organizations can achieve significant cost savings.
• Market Advantage: Being certified to ISO 14001 can provide a competitive edge in the marketplace, as more consumers and businesses prefer to engage with environmentally responsible companies.

Who Should Use This Standard?

The BS EN ISO 14001:2015 standard is applicable to any organization, regardless of its size, type, or nature. It is particularly beneficial for:

• Organizations seeking to manage their environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner.
• Companies aiming to enhance their environmental performance and achieve sustainability goals.
• Businesses looking to gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to environmental management.
• Organizations that need to comply with environmental regulations and improve their reputation among stakeholders.

Structure of the Standard

The BS EN ISO 14001:2015 standard is structured to align with the Annex SL framework, which is a common structure for ISO management system standards. This makes it easier for organizations to integrate multiple management systems. The main sections of the standard include:

1. Scope: Defines the scope of the standard and its applicability.
2. Normative References: Lists the documents that are indispensable for the application of the standard.
3. Terms and Definitions: Provides definitions of key terms used in the standard.
4. Context of the Organization: Outlines the need to understand the organization and its context, as well as the needs and expectations of interested parties.
5. Leadership: Emphasizes the role of top management in the EMS.
6. Planning: Covers the identification of risks and opportunities, environmental objectives, and planning to achieve them.
7. Support: Addresses the resources needed for the EMS, including competence, awareness, communication, and documented information.
8. Operation: Focuses on the operational planning and control necessary to meet environmental objectives.
9. Performance Evaluation: Involves monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation of environmental performance.
10. Improvement: Encourages continual improvement of the EMS and environmental performance.

Conclusion

The BS EN ISO 14001:2015 standard is an essential tool for organizations committed to improving their environmental performance and achieving sustainability. By implementing this standard, businesses can not only meet regulatory requirements but also enhance their reputation, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage. Whether you are a small business or a large corporation, adopting the BS EN ISO 14001:2015 standard can lead to significant benefits and contribute to a more sustainable future.

BS EN ISO 14001:2015

This standard BS EN ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management systems. Requirements with guidance for use is classified in these ICS categories:

• 13.020.10 Environmental management
• 03.100.70 Management systems
• 13.100 Occupational safety. Industrial hygiene

This International Standard specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. This International Standard 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.

This International Standard 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.

This International Standard 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. This International Standard does not state specific environmental performance criteria.

This International Standard can be used in whole or in part to systematically improve environmental management. Claims of conformity to this International Standard, however, are not acceptable unless all its requirements are incorporated into an organization’s environmental management system and fulfilled without exclusion.