ISO 14001 is a globally recognised environmental management standard. It provides the basis for implementing a management system to aid in monitoring, managing, and reducing your organisation’s environmental impact.
Consumer demand for ecologically friendly products, the 1992 Rio Earth Summit on the environment, and the development of environmental management requirements have compelled organisations to pay more attention to environmental aspects of product design, manufacture, packaging, distribution, and disposal.
The role of voluntary environmental management systems (EMS) compliments the mandatory environmental legislation which has piqued the interest of governments all over the world.
Individuals and businesses may make a difference by reducing their carbon footprint, considering the environmental effect, and making efforts to build a better future with the environment. ISO 14001is instrumental for businesses that wish to make a change, and can make a conscious effort to do so. ISO 14001 can help an organisation shift from conventional to sustainable practices, improve relationships with society due to improved environmental performance, and enhance waste processing.
The perks received like reduced costs, enhanced environmental performance, a better reputation strengthening a company’s market position are just a few advantages.
The ISO 14001 environmental management standard’s goal is to help businesses identify and control the environmental impact of its activities, products and services, whilst continually improving its environmental performance.
What Exactly is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organisation can use to enhance its environmental performance. The standard establishes the foundation for developing an environmental management system and lays forth a framework for establishing an efficient system for a company or organisation. ISO 14001:2015 is essential for every organisation that wishes to increase resource efficiency, waste reduction, cost reduction, whilst taking exceptional care of the environment.
ISO 14001 ensures that environmental effects are measured and improved for business management, employees, and external stakeholders. Also, it comes in connection with other management responsibilities to accomplish ecological and financial objectives.
ISO 14001’s Applicability
Any organisation can use the ISO 14001 standard to:
- Implement, maintain, and enhance an environmental management system.
- Ensure that it is adhering to its declared environmental policy.
- Display to others similar conformity.
- Seek external organisation certification/registration of its environmental management system.
- Make a self determination and statement of standard compliance.
So, We’re Environmentally Conscious, But Why Do We Need Environmental Certification?
What are all the positives of ISO 14001 certification for the environment?
ISO 14001 has five core elements, called environmental policy; planning; implementation and operation; checking and corrective action; and management review.
For the standard, the first and most essential benefit is that an EMS may help you avoid violating legislation. For example, your properly operating certified EMS may be a defence of due diligence in the case of an unforeseen environmental incident resulting in a violation of environmental law.
The second benefit for the standard is the enhanced benefits of a structured management system in terms of practical improvement and efficiency.
ISO 14001 Certification Process
Any system’s success is dependent on its processes. Processes assist you in determining which elements and activities lead to desired outcomes. Find out how all business components fit together appropriately by defining the organisation’s context and focusing on management. Finally, we can provide insights and structure that enable an organisation to be regarded in its entirety by following the proper procedure.
Businesses will need to incorporate specified specifications into the basic structure of your organisation to obtain an environmental management system (EMS) for a construction company, for example.
The following are the ISO 14001 operating principles:
- Translatability, clarity, and simplicity
- Avoid redundancy by being concise.
- The standard’s flexibility and ease of usage
- Verifiability
- Compatibility with the standard’s other elements
What are the Benefits of ISO 14001 Certification for Customers?
Any company that actively wants to reduce its environmental impact should pursue ISO 14001 certification. Its purpose makes the standard well suited to enterprises of any size and industry.
#Using ISO 14001 to Influence Your Customers
Many of the benefits that an ISO 14001:2015 certified organisation can provide to a customer can only be recognised once the relationship has been established. Thus marketing these benefits as a selling point makes commercial sense. For example, imagine your customer understands that your environmental goals align with your business goals and that legislation compliance and improving recycling methods and rates are all underpinned by a commitment to continuous improvement. In that case, your company may become a more appealing business partner. Make the market aware of this, and your company can thrive in a competitive market by supporting environmentally friendly methods.
#Ease of Doing Business with Your Customers
One of the perks of having ISO 14001 in your company is to build standardised business practices that meet all the necessary needs of the standards. In addition, any ISO 14001 certified supplier can expect a standard procedure and output when dealing with communication, non-conformities, or client complaints. In addition, it provides several advantages in terms of ease of doing business.
#Customer Demand Has Increased
Companies that comply with ISO 14001 know that their success is based on their customers and suppliers and vice versa; as a result, they will work more to ensure that these parties are entirely happy. Customers are aware of this and frequently seek out registered businesses to do business with.
#A Higher Level of Staff Quality Awareness
Your organisation must analyse how people execute their work and interact between functions as part of the audit and certification process. Employees may become more engaged in your processes through participation in audits etc, and are more inclined to support the management system.
#Improvements in Internal Communication
Employee involvement is one of the ISO 14001 standard’s pillars. There are more constructive, two-way communication opportunities when your staff are involved in the quality management process.
#Wonderful News For Your Customers
ISO 14001’s new lifecycle perspective standards aim to extend a product’s life while also guaranteeing that it is removed ethically and efficiently at the end of its useful life. Both are excellent news for your customers, and they ensure that their end user is aware of these benefits. As a result, your products will become more appealing and desirable.
For example, a buyer purchasing an electronic product from an ISO 14001 certified company, can reasonably expect the product’s supply and manufacture to contain more recycled raw material. He can also expect
more ethically sourced materials throughout manufacturing, a longer product life cycle, and an end-of-life recycling programme that recycles or reuses certain portions of the product in producing a new or refurbished product right away.
We are seeing many well known brands adopting this approach on a global scale to make a positive impact on the environment.
Are You Prepared For ISO 14001 Certification?
Any company that actively wants to reduce its environmental impact should pursue ISO 14001 certification. It’s a genuine movement that all organisations should demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability in today’s world, and obtaining ISO 14001 certification is one way to do so.
The benefit to the environment, through less pollution, greater efficiency, reduced waste, and improved overall awareness is, however, one of the most significant advantages of implementing an ISO 14001 environmental management system.
Are you ready to start the certification process?
Certifi International has a professional team that will assist you in implementing the ISO 14001 Certification.
Visit our website- https://certifii.com.au/ or call Certifi International at 1300 971 044 to speak with a member of our Client Services Team, who can help you to become ISO 14001 certified.
