ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems

Enterprises with an implemented environmental system, according to ISO 14001, assure their functional and managerial effort for:

• Prevention of pollution
• Continuous improvement of their environmental performance
• Compliance with applicable environmental laws. 

In 2013 the ISO Organization carried out a study in 110 countries with 5000 participants. One of the goals of this study was to define the benefits of the application of an ISO 14001 system. Some of the positive results were the following:

• About 75% regarding the fulfillment of legal requirements and improvement of environmental performance
• More than 60% regarding management commitment and involvement of personnel.
• More than 50% regarding handling of satisfaction of interested parties, improvement of public image, achievement of strategic goals and incorporation in the business management systems
• More than 60% regarding the improvement of environmental performance of suppliers
• More than 75% regarding the achievement of competitive advantage
• More than 60% regarding achievement of financial benefits 

The third issue ISO 14001:2015 will bring changes to the application of environmental management systems by the organizations.

The structure of the new standard has changed significantly so as to align with the SL Appendix (High Level Structure). The structure of ISO 14001:2015 is the following:

1. Reach
2. Normative References
3. Terms and Definitions
4. Context of the Organization
5. Leadership
6. Planning
7. Support
8. Operation
9. Performance Evaluation
10. Improvement

 Appendices A and B 

The language and the purpose of the standard has significantly changed in comparison to the previous versions. New definitions are included for the interested parties, the risks, the indicators and the life cycle. The new version includes a new requirements for understanding the organization’s operation framework so that there is a better risk management by emphasizing at the leadership to promote environmental management. Furthermore, improvement of environmental performance is noted as important, instead of improvement of the management system.

The requirements that will probably have the highest impact on the organization include:

• Determination of internal and external issues that could affect the achievement of the desired results of the environmental management system.
• Determination of interested parties and their demands
• Incorporation of the environmental management system goals in the operation processes
• Compatibility of environmental policy and goals with the organization’s strategies
• Incorporation of environmental performance in strategic planning
• Tracking and monitoring of organizational threats and chances
• A suitable policy for dealing with the organizational threats and chances
• Defining the life cycle perspectives
• The professional proficiency of human resources affecting environmental performance
• Controlling of processes regarding environmental performance
• Usage of performance indicators’ criteria
• Review by the leadership regarding the above mentioned requirements 

TÜV HELLAS having great experience in the field of Environmental Management Systems Certification, carries out inspections and issues ISO 14001 certificates for organizations in Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, Rumania and the Middle East.