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The ISO 14001 standard is an internationally recognised standard published by the International Organisation for Standardisation. It constitutes an environmental management system designed to help companies operate in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Implementing ISO 14001 is synonymous with introducing proven solutions for environmental protection. An ISO 14001 certificate, meanwhile, guarantees that an organisation operates in compliance with the law – which is becoming increasingly stringent in the face of the growing climate crisis and the ongoing degradation of the natural environment.
ISO 14001:2015 certification is a globally recognised document confirming that an organisation operates in accordance with the guidelines of the ISO 14001 standard. The standard has been formulated so that any company can apply it – regardless of its size or organisational structure. As environmental issues are relevant in every area of business, every organisation will benefit from ISO 14001 certification.
The following organisations should be particularly interested in implementing an environmental management system:
However, the guidelines of the ISO 14001 standard may prove equally useful in, for example, a restaurant or a hotel.
ISO 14001 certification is proof of an organisation’s commitment to environmental issues. For customers and business partners – both current and potential – it signals that the company operates responsibly, striving to minimise the impact of its activities on the natural environment. This is an extremely important aspect of a company’s image in the face of society’s growing environmental awareness.
By displaying the ISO 14001 certification mark, a company can promote its products or services more effectively. It also opens up broader opportunities for operating in the market (particularly the international market), as ISO 14001 certification makes it a more credible business partner. An organisation that has obtained ISO 14001:2015 certification also gains objective proof that its operations comply with applicable regulations.
An organisation that decides to implement an ISO 14001 environmental management system and seek certification must be prepared for the system to be audited, i.e. a thorough review to ensure compliance with the standard. Obtaining ISO 14001 certification itself depends on a successful outcome of the ISO 14001 audit carried out by an accredited certification body. An external audit may also be requested by parties interested in a company’s services. Potential partners or customers may, for various reasons, wish to ensure that a company holding ISO 14001:2015 certification actually meets all the requirements of the standard.
The most important aspect for the effective functioning of an ISO 14001 environmental management system is the internal audit, which is usually commissioned by the company owner or the chair of the board. Whilst external audits may have negative consequences (e.g. losing a tender) if non-conformities with the ISO 14001 standard are identified, internal audits should be viewed solely in terms of benefits. This is because they enable the continuous improvement of the system and the elimination of any potential gaps. An internal ISO 14001 audit may be carried out by employees of the organisation designated for this role. However, as there is a risk that their assessment may not be objective, it is worth engaging a professional external firm – entrusting it with the implementation of the ISO 14001 system and maintaining constant oversight of it.
Although ISO 14001 certification imposes a number of obligations on an organisation, the benefits of holding it cannot be overstated. What is important here are not only the benefits arising from the strengthening of the brand’s image or the enhancement of the company’s credibility in the eyes of various regulatory bodies. The very act of implementing ISO 14001 (regardless of certification) is a decision that can improve a company’s operational efficiency and, consequently, its profitability.
Implementing ISO 14001:2015 involves a series of changes to the company’s processes, operational strategies and even organisational structure. Their primary aim is to minimise the negative impact on the environment. In practice, however, the implementation of ISO 14001 makes these processes and strategies more efficient and less prone to negative consequences.
Process optimisation associated with the implementation of ISO 14001 can mean, for example, a reduction in post-production waste for a company, and thus more efficient use of materials and lower waste disposal costs. Savings may also relate to lower electricity consumption or the reduction of unnecessary staff positions. There are many examples of the internal benefits of implementing ISO 14001:2015. Each one demonstrates that the ISO 14001 standard is one of the most helpful tools for a modern company.
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