What is ISO 14001 and how can you implement this system in your company?

ISO 14001 is a globally recognized management system for organizations based on the principle of sustainable development, i.e., respect for the natural environment. The ISO 14001 standard was developed by the International Organization for Standardization as early as 1996 (based on the British BS 7750 standard). Since then, it has been continuously improved and updated to meet changing market requirements. The current version of the standard is ISO 14001:2015.

What is ISO 14001?

The ISO 14001:2015 standard is known as an environmental management system. This universal tool (which can be used in any organization, regardless of its size, industry, legal form, etc.) was created in response to the pressing problems of the modern world—the advancing climate crisis, environmental degradation, the depletion of Earth’s natural resources, and water and air pollution. ISO 14001 is a set of guidelines designed to help companies grow while maintaining ecological balance.

Although the ISO 14001 standard was created primarily to ensure that current generations can meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, the environmental management system is also highly beneficial for organizations that choose to implement it. The ISO 14001:2015 guidelines refer to proven, effective methods of company management. They contribute to increasing a company’s efficiency and, consequently, its profitability. Furthermore, ISO 14001 certification has a positive impact on a brand’s image.

What does the ISO 14001 standard cover?

The ISO 14001:2015 standard is designed to foster environmental awareness within a company and improve its performance in this area. Implementing the standard involves identifying the environmental aspects of an organization’s operations, then setting eco-friendly goals and methods of action, developing tools to support these efforts, and establishing ways to verify new processes. In practice, implementing ISO 14001:2015 can mean:

• a reduction in waste and energy consumption,
• strengthening of a process-based approach to environmental management (which may also be reflected in other areas of the company’s operations),
• improved compliance of the company’s operations with applicable legal requirements,
• increased management commitment to the company’s environmental policy,
• changes in the company’s communication strategies.

The ISO 14001 standard is one of the standards subject to certification. This means that its implementation can be officially confirmed by a document issued by an accredited body—the ISO 14001 certificate. It remains valid for three years—after which time it is advisable to renew it. ISO 14001 certification opens up a range of new opportunities in international markets (and increasingly in the domestic market as well), where organizations that operate in an environmentally friendly manner are favored. Above all, however, the ISO 14001 certificate strengthens trust in the brand among customers and stakeholders, whose environmental awareness is growing every year.

Who is an ISO 14001 auditor?

An organization seeking ISO 14001 certification must demonstrate that its system complies with the ISO 14001:2015 guidelines. This is done during a certification audit conducted by an authorized body. The ISO 14001 audit is the culmination of the standard implementation process—if it has been carried out with due diligence, the company need not fear this “exam.” This does not change the fact that when applying for ISO 14001 certification, one must expect a fee (the amount of which depends on the size of the organization or the complexity of its environmental management system), which must be paid regardless of the audit’s outcome. It is therefore advisable to prepare for it thoroughly to avoid unnecessary costs.

To ensure that the external ISO 14001 audit goes smoothly, it is worth preceding it with the same procedure, but conducted by an internal auditor. They can provide detailed feedback on the effectiveness of ISO 14001 implementation within the organization and identify gaps in the system that need to be addressed. The auditor must have a thorough understanding of the ISO 14001:2015 standard, but also be very familiar with the company being audited. For this reason, it is often beneficial to entrust the internal ISO 14001 audit to a trusted employee.

ISO 14001 Internal Auditor – Training

When applying for ISO 14001 certification, an organization can—and indeed should—seek assistance from an external firm that specializes in management system services. Qualified consultants can undertake the implementation of an environmental management system and conduct an internal ISO 14001 audit prior to the certification audit. They can also share their knowledge with an employee of the organization designated as the environmental management system specialist. Training for internal auditors serves this purpose.

Is it worth investing in training an employee to become an internal auditor? Absolutely. Holding an ISO 14001 certificate requires the ongoing maintenance of an effectively functioning environmental management system, which in turn necessitates continuous monitoring. An ISO 14001 internal audit should be conducted at least once a year. A properly trained employee is not only able to monitor the system’s effectiveness but also to manage and continuously improve it. They also gain the competence to conduct so-called ISO 14001 “second-party” audits, which means they can verify the effectiveness of the environmental management system at potential business partners.