ISO 50001 | Energy Management
Optimize energy use and reduce costs with proven efficiency.
ISO 50001 ensures sustainable energy performance with the expertise of TÜV USA.
Optimize energy use and reduce costs with proven efficiency.
ISO 50001 ensures sustainable energy performance with the expertise of TÜV USA.
There are many good reasons to pay attention to your company's energy efficiency. Globally, it helps with the urgently needed reduction of greenhouse gas emissions . A certified energy management system according to DIN EN ISO 50001 also has advantages for your company's profitability.
A certified energy management system according to ISO 50001 supports you in the continuous improvement of your energy-related performance , i.e., in improving energy efficiency, energy use, and energy consumption. Furthermore, the energy management system helps you increase your competitiveness and reduce energy costs. Furthermore, it enhances your public image.
The transition will result in changes regarding the calculation of the audit time as well as conducting the audit implementation and the audit documentation.
Your certificates and, if applicable, sub-certificates do not change due to the transition.
For existing customers, the new calculation requirements only apply to the next re-certification. The changes regarding conducting audit and audit documentation, on the other hand, apply immediately, i.e., they will be implemented in the next audit of the current certification cycle.
For new customers, all requirements according to DIN ISO 50003:2022 apply with immediate effect, i.e., the new calculation requirements and the changes regarding the conducting audit and audit documentation.
Main changes compared with the previous edition are as follows:
Changes for audit day calculations
Audit planning and audit documentation
Audit duration
Continual energy performance improvement
Multisite
Audit planning
Audit documentation
Results from the inspection
On 22 February 2022, the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) IAF published a joint communiqué to highlight the addition of climate change considerations to a number of existing ISO management system standards (MSS).
Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 of the MSS are affected. This is to ensure that climate change issues are considered by the organization in the context of the effectiveness of the management system in addition to all other aspects.
As of February 2024, ISO and IAF have introduced updates requiring all certified organizations to assess whether climate change is a relevant issue within their management system context (Clause 4.1) and stakeholders' expectations (Clause 4.2).
Organizations must now integrate climate-related risks and requirements into system planning, audits, and compliance, ensuring resilience, sustainability, and alignment with evolving legal and market demands.
Is your management system ready for the climate challenge?
ISO 50001 is an internationally valid standard which specifies the requirements for an energy management system for an organisation or company. It is intended to support the establishment of a useful and systematic energy management system with the aim of achieving more efficient use of energy.
There is basically no obligation to undertake certification, and the establishment of an energy management system is voluntary However, in Germany certification according to ISO 50001 is the prerequisite for important tax reliefs, such as the tax cap or a limitation of the EEG energy surcharge.
According to §§ 8 ff. of the German Energy Services Act (EDL-G), all companies which are not SMEs in the sense of Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC are obliged to undertake an energy audit at least every four years in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1.
Organisations which operate a certified energy management system according to ISO 50001 or which can demonstrate an EMAS III Validation are released from this obligation.
All “non-SMEs” are affected:
Please note that associated companies are also taken into consideration when categorising a company as an SME or non-SME. More detailed information on the definition of SMEs can be found in the European Commission Guideline.
Further information on how an energy management system can be developed and efficiency potentials identified and assessed based on an energy audit can be found in in the practical guide to energy management "Energy Management Systems in Practice" published by the German Environment Agency (UBA).
Industrial production companies use their energy management system as a basis for applying for the tax cap (§ 10 StromStG, § 55 EnergieStG) or a limitation of the EEG energy surcharge (§ 64 EEG).
As was already the case with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, the High Level Structure was used as a basis for ISO 50001. This ensures standardised headings and numbering of the individual clauses and also standardised terms and definitions.
The organisation has to determine external and internal issues that can affect the energy management system either positively or negatively.
The organisation has to determine and specify the interested parties that will be relevant to their energy management system and also their relevant requirements and expectations.
Organisations have to address existing risks and opportunities in relation to their energy management system and plan their activities accordingly.
ISO 50001 emphasises the responsibility of the top management more strongly than before with regard to the development and operation of the energy management system.
The requirements as to methods used for monitoring, measurement and analysis of energy performance are more stringent.
The additional time required for transitioning to the new standard was laid down as follows by the German Accreditation Body (Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle, DAkkS):
On 14 October 2017, accreditation standard ISO 50003 became the new basis for certification of management systems according to ISO 50001. This also has an impact on organisations who are already certified according to ISO 50001 or who wish to achieve certification. Seen as a whole, there is now a greater focus on energy efficiency. Further information on ISO 50003 can be found here.
TÜV NORD is recognised as a well-established and reliable provider of inspection and certification services, assessing fulfilment of legal regulations and voluntary standards all over the world. We employ experienced specialists in all our areas of activity. As a matter of principle, aur auditors are trained to a very high level and use standardised methods. This means we can guarantee neutrality and continuity in all our services to you.
