Certification of energy management system to ISO 50001

Energy management system compliant with ISO 50001 is an effective tool that perfectly fit for large branched companies.

Implementation of the energy management system ensures systematic control of energy consumption, analysis and enhancement of energy efficiency.

Benefits:

• regular thorough analysis of energy consumption
• ability to react quickly to deviations from set targets on energy consumption
• certificate meets requirements of energy efficiency legislation all over Europe (especially useful for companies with large subsidiaries in Lithuania and Estonia)
• staff discipline
• additional tool for creating a positive corporate identity.

Necessary investments:

• constant load on human resources
• requires regular monitoring (supervision)
• annual additional costs for certification.

Term for certification of energy management system is at least 3 months. The certificate is valid for 3 years from the date of its issue, provided a supervisory audit is carried out each year.

Central role in energy management system belongs to definition of goals and objectives, as well as to developed and documented procedures for their achievement. To set realistic and achievable goals, the enterprise conducts a detailed energy audit, the main stages of which are similar to the stages of the energy audit of the enterprise. The audit includes identification of energy distribution at the enterprise, energy efficiency indicators of the enterprise, setting achievable goal mark for energy efficiency, developing an action plan dedicated to enhancing energy efficiency. Energy management system covers procedures for measuring, documenting and reporting, involving employees in improving energy efficiency of the company, as well as requirements for procurement and effective planning of new technologies, equipment, systems and processes.

The key difference between energy management system and company's energy audit is that after introduction of the system the company must constantly monitor the achieved energy efficiency indicators by means of internal audits of the system and prepare a report on actions of the management. The annual report should include information on ongoing activities, assess progress (achievements), consider problems and obstacles that need to be eliminated and develop a future plan of actions. Such a system allows the company to accurately assess changes in energy consumption and to move purposefully toward increasing energy efficiency. When deciding to introduct energy management system, company management must realize that additional human resources are required for administering the system and additional investments -for introducing the monitoring system.

Competent consultants must be involved for introduction of the energy management system at the enterprise. They must have ability and skills to develop necessary documentation and evaluation methodology. In order for the energy management system to comply with the established legal regulations, it must be certified to requirements of ISO 50001 by the relevant certification (conformity assessment) body. Certification of the system is valid for 3 years. Since the basic sections of the energy management system are similar to those specified in other standards, it can be integrated into the quality management system (ISO 9001) and the environmental management system (ISO 14001), having completed the necessary additions and having certified them accordingly.