It is more important than ever to show that organizations are considering their environmental impact and putting in place systems that will not only help the environment but also reduce costs and improve efficiency within them.
Numerous benefits can be derived from demonstrating conformance to ISO 14001 standards:
- Savings on waste, recycling, and consumption
- A competitive advantage when you tender for business
- Management of environmental risk
- Respecting environmental regulations in each country
- Demonstrate your commitment towards improving the environment
- Demonstrates that your organization is a responsible and future-focused organization
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This can increase employee engagement by letting them know that they are working for an environment-friendly organization.
A well-defined Environmental Management System will give your organization a consistent approach to compliance. Companies with public accountability and performance records may be more flexible than others.
Officials from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), have suggested that certification might reduce the number of inspections required to obtain permits. The EPA has reduced fines in some cases, provided that financial resources are used for better practices, including ISO 14001.
ISO 14001 will be a prerequisite to doing business globally through the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Experts agree that acceptance of the new global environmental standards will come from the market.
International Organization for Standardization
The International Organization for Standardization, (ISO), is the largest global developer of voluntary International Standards. The standards provide best practices and solutions to almost any type of technology or business. They help companies and organizations improve their performance, while also protecting the planet and consumers.
They were created through global consensus. Their standards are intended to remove barriers to international commerce. Some of the most popular standards include ISO 9001 for quality, ISO 14001 for the environment, and ISO 27001 for information security management.
Environmental Management System Certification
This standard allows businesses and organizations to establish an EMS which will reduce waste, increase resource efficiency, or cut down on waste management costs.
ISO 14001 is an International Standard for Environmental Management Systems. It was created by the International Organization for Standardization to aid businesses and other organizations to reduce their environmental impacts.
Any business can use the ISO 14001 framework to implement their environmental management plan and apply for certification. This makes ISO 14001 one of the most widely-used standards in the world.
Why ISO 14001 certification is so important
An ISO 14001 Certification can add credibility to your business by demonstrating that your product meets customers’ environmental protection expectations. Certification may also be required for certain industries.
Investors are beginning to demand action
Blackrock, the largest asset manager in the world, announced that it had voted against 49 directors at 49 firms, 55 times, for failing to take sufficient steps to address climate change during the 12 months prior.
Blackrock announced in January 2020 that it would take strong action against businesses that have failed to adequately address the climate crisis and that it would vote against them during annual shareholder meetings.
Benefits of ISO 14001:2015 Certification
- Search for cost savings -Especially when it comes to resource, waste, and energy management
- Enhance efficiency across your product cycle to reduce environmental impacts
- Enhance your corporate credibility to help win new clients
- Measure, monitor, and control your ongoing environmental impact
- Avoid prosecution by ensuring compliance with environmental legislation
How to choose an ISO Certification Body
For organizations in the UK, ISO 14001 recognition can be very valuable if they are certified by an accredited UKAS certification body. They will independently audit your organization and issue you ISO 14001 certification. International Accreditation Forum provides a listing of comparable international accreditation bodies.
