What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), and sets out requirements for organisations to identify, manage, monitor and improve their environmental performance. By adopting a robust EMS, organisations can reduce their environmental impact, ensure legal compliance, and embed a culture of sustainability and continuous improvement.
An EMS is made up of the policies, processes, plans, practices and records that define the rules governing how your organisation interacts with the environment. ISO 14001 provide a framework for tailoring your EMS suitable for your organisations specific environmental interactions, legal requirements and products and services.
Your EMS does not need to be certified for your business to benefit from ISO 14001. Many organisations develop their EMS in alignment with ISO 14001 and pursue certification at a time that fits their goals and resources. This approach allows businesses to realise the advantages of a robust EMS without the immediate cost of certification.
What are the benefits of ISO 14001?
Streamlined Environmental Efficiency: Optimise processes to reduce waste, conserve resources, and enhance environmental performance.
Improved Environmental Outcomes: Deliver sustainable solutions that meet regulatory standards and exceed stakeholder expectations.
Proactive Environmental Risk Management: Identify, assess, and mitigate environmental risks using data-driven strategies to prevent negative impacts.
Engaged and Empowered Workforce: Foster a culture of environmental responsibility by clearly defining roles, boosting morale, and encouraging ownership of sustainability goals.
Sustainable Growth and Innovation: Promote a mindset of continuous improvement, enabling adaptation to environmental changes and driving long-term sustainability.
Steps to getting ISO 14001 certification
Every organisation has their own unique way of implementing ISO 14001, tailored specifically to their business. However, there are some common steps to achieving certification.
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Carry out a Gap Analysis to asses your current management system against the requirements of ISO 14001. Develop an action plan to address the gaps and bring your practices in line with the standard. |
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Deliver your action plan to align your practices with ISO 14001. This includes setting strategic environmental objectives, creating and implementing environmental policy, identifying and controls your signification environmental aspects and impacts, and incorporating sound environmental practices across all areas of your organisation. |
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Stage 1 Certification Audit - your chosen certification body will review the scope of your management system and assess your readiness for certification. |
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Address any areas of improvement identified at Stage 1 Certification Audit and continue to implement your management system, building up evidence of compliance. |
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Stage 2 Certification Audit - your chose certification body will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of your management system, and will make a recommendation for certification |
Once your have gained certification, you need to continue the implementation and development of your EMS. You will typically be subject to an annual surveillance audit carried out by your certification body to ensure your EMS continues to meet the requirements of ISO 14001.
ISO 14001 Certification is awarded for a period of three years; your certification body will carry out a full certification audit after three years to full examine the EMS.
Remember to promote your ISO 14001 certification - it demonstrates a commitment to best environmental practices and continual improvement, helping you win new business and gives assurance to stakeholders.
ISO 14001 FAQ's
A: ISO 14001 is based on seven key principles: environmental responsibility, leadership, engagement of people, adopting a process approach, continuous improvement, evidence-based decision making, and relationship management.
A: There is no legal obligation to achieve compliance with ISO 14001, but it is becoming increasingly important in supply chains. Across many industries, ISO 14001 compliance or certification is a common demand during the tendering process.
Implementing ISO 14001 opens up more opportunities for business growth, allowing you to access more potential clients and new sectors. Achieving ISO 14001 means your business has a well-documented EMS, and you are able to address questions during the tendering process easily.
A: Complying with ISO 14001 can be self-proclaimed when you have implemented all the requirements of the standard to the best of your ability. To give assurance to this claim, Applaud can carry out an assessment of your EMS against the requirements of ISO 14001.
Certified to ISO 14001 means that an independent certification body has assessed your EMS against the requirements of ISO 14001 and has provided written assurance of compliance.
A: To achieve ISO 14001 certification, you must engage an ISO 14001 certification body and pass an audit that looks for evidence that your EMS is in place and meets the certification standards. Applaud can help you select a certification body that meets the needs of your business.
A: The time taken to achieve ISO 14001 certification can vary from a few weeks to a year or more, depending on the size and complexity of your organisation and the readiness of your organisation at the start of the process. Typically Applaud work on a six to nine month timescale, but this can be shortened or may be lengthened based on factors such as the size of the organisation, your existing management processes, the resources available to work on the management system and number of locations the organisation has.
A: A certification body provides independent third party recognition of your compliance with ISO 14001. When choosing an certification body, you need to consider if they are accredited by UKAS or not. Be aware that some supply chains insist on UKAS accredited awarding bodies for ISO 14001 certification.
A: UKAS-accredited certification bodies are officially recognised in the UK to provide ISO 14001 certification, ensuring compliance with rigorous international standards and delivering globally trusted credentials. Certifications from UKAS-accredited bodies are more credible, widely accepted, and often required for regulated industries or government contracts. Non-accredited certification bodies, while often cheaper, lack oversight from recognised authorities, leading to inconsistent auditing quality and limited acceptance by clients or markets. Choosing a UKAS-accredited body reduces risks and enhances the value and recognition of your ISO 14001 certification.
A: Certification lasts for three years (subject to the outcome of surveillance audits). During those three years you will need to carry out internal audits of your EMS and be subject to surveillance audits by your certification body. At the end of the three year period, you will go through a re-certification audit similar to the stage 2 certification audit.
A: ISO 14001:2015 Quality Management Systems