ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System

Are you aware of your business’ impact on the environment? Do you value sustainability and strive to protect the planet? Perhaps you are looking to reduce expensive waste management costs or meet legal obligations.

No matter what you’re looking for, IMSM can talk you through how an ISO 14001 environmental management system could benefit your organisation financially and provide ecological and health-orientated advantages.

Investing in an ISO 14001 environmental management system is an investment in improving our planet. We encourage companies who choose to take this step to reduce waste, costs, and risks while supporting the environment in the process. Therefore, we are gifting one of our IMSM trees to each company that invests in an ISO 14001 environmental management system as a way to celebrate their decision by giving back and helping the planet.

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Guide ISO 14001 Road to Certification

What is ISO 14001?

Part of the ISO 14000 family of international standards, which provide guidelines for organisations looking to manage their environmental impact, ISO 14001 is the certification that helps you design and implement an environmental management system. The framework is designed to measure and improve how organisations use and dispose of natural resources and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

The standard is generic, meaning it applies to organisations of any size and industry. From a big factory hoping to reduce its waste to a small office that’s looking to cut down on gas and electricity use, the standard is suitable for all. An ISO 14001 certification shows an organisational commitment to the environment and a more efficient, conscious use of the earth’s resources.

What are the benefits of ISO 14001?

Legal compliance
Becoming ISO 14001 certified allows you to understand your compliance obligations in relation to the latest environmental legislation and other requirements by providing a systematic approach to meeting current and identifying future regulations. Keeping abreast of your legal duties reduces the risk of prosecution and bad press that can come with environmental breaches.
Improved consumer reputation
As the climate worsens, more and more businesses are switching to sustainable practices in line with consumer trends. Getting ISO 14001 certified impresses existing customers and clients, demonstrating your active commitment to corporate and social responsibility.
Competitive advantages
Not only will you provide assurance to your established consumer base, but you can access global business opportunities in a growing market. Your new credentials will set you apart from your competitors – or you could fall behind if they are certified and you’re not.
Waste reduction
Are machines running unnecessarily? Are there certain processes that produce a lot of plastic waste? By streamlining your environmental processes, ISO 14001 identifies and mitigates waste by highlighting more suitable renewable energy sources and energy-saving processes that result in a more sustainable, efficient organisation. Use less and save more.
Long-term money saving
Naturally, better efficiency leads to reduced costs in running your business. Some financial benefits include less tax, lower energy and insurance bills and a reduction in operating costs.
Culture of continual improvement
Incorporating the ISO 14001 framework into your organisation is not a one-off exercise: regular reviews keep an environmental consciousness at the forefront of everything you do.

Steps to getting ISO 14001 certified

Working towards ISO 14001 certification with IMSM is a trouble-free, step-by-step approach.

Initial consultation
We help you outline your goals, focusing on what your business wants to achieve and how it defines success, particularly in relation to your client’s requirements. You and your ISO consultants will agree on reasonable outcomes and delivery dates.
Producing your organisation’s ISO 14001 manual system documentation
Next, the IMSM consultant will audit your existing procedures and help you document the new systems that will help deliver success – both existing and how you will improve these. The manual system documentation sets out how your business should operate going forward so that it can deliver ISO 14001.
You will be able to view the manual system documentation, along with most other relevant documentation, on our client portal IMSMLoop. It offers a comprehensive insight into the progress of your ISO implementation, along with copies of the relevant audit reports, certifications, and any necessary corrective actions. The portal serves as a central hub for tracking your ISO journey.
Training you to adopt the ISO 14001 framework
While the manual system documentation is a vital document moving forward, it is even more important that it gets put to practical use. We work with the senior management team to ensure the framework is embedded throughout your organisation. We can also develop and deliver tailored training for staff to ensure that the understanding and implementation of ISO 14001 is watertight. This will create consistency across your organisation, transforming your business from day one so it is optimised for efficiency, continual improvement, and greater profitability.
Submission to a third-party external auditor
Before you can be awarded the ISO 14001 certification, your organisation applies to the third-party certifying body that you have selected to conduct your audit. This audit objectively determines whether your business conforms to ISO 14001, and the relevant accompanying documentation is accessible through our client portal, IMSMLoop.

As we have provided excellent support and guidance to your business every step of the way, you can rest assured that your ISO 14001 certification will be successful.

Why IMSM?

Simple: We make it simple. Since 1994, we’ve been helping businesses achieve ISO certification and have over 150 experts worldwide. With 15,000+ clients trusting us to implement their ISOs, we have proven to be experts capable of handling the logistical heavy lifting, saving your company precious time. With a transparent fixed fee, flexible approach, and real-time access to updates, documentation, and an array of other features through IMSMLoop, we work with your organisation to make ISO 14001 implementation as straightforward and beneficial as possible.

We strive to do this with our:

– World-class gap analysis
– Experienced and diverse ISO consultants
– Regular updates, provided through IMSMLoop
– Flexible terms and contract
– Fixed fee
– Full implementation

How can ISO specialists help your business?

Getting started with ISO 14001 certification might seem daunting; this is often the reason why businesses enlist the help of an ISO consultant. For thirty years, we’ve supported and guided organisations like yours through certification. Our experienced consultants take the lead on auditing your business, helping you use the results to enhance your quality management system. If necessary, there is also plenty of room for training.

FAQs

How do I get ISO 14001 certified?
Most businesses start with getting certified in ISO 9001, the international certification for quality management. An existing quality management system means you have the building blocks in place for implementing an environmental management system.
What are the ISO 14001 requirements?
The requirements for ISO 14001 are divided into ten sections based on the Plan Do Check Act management method. In a nutshell, clauses 1-6 are involved in the Plan stage, 7-8 in the Do stage, 9 in Check and 10 in Act. A closer look into the process can be found here.
How much does it cost to get ISO certified?
The cost of getting ISO 14001 certified varies from organisation to organisation, but it is priced using three major factors: the size of your business, your industry and the complexity of your processes. For a more detailed breakdown, head over to our blog.
What is the difference between ISO 14000 and 14001?
The ISO 14000 family of standards relate to an organisation’s environmental impact. ISO 14001 is a management standard you can certify in order to implement an environmental management system into your company’s operational framework. For a more detailed look at the difference between ISO 14000 and ISO 14001, we’ve explained it here.
Who needs ISO 14001 certification?
Any business looking to reduce its environmental impact and improve its internal efficiencies would benefit from ISO 14001, no matter its size, complexity, or industry.
Is ISO 14001 mandatory?
ISO 14001, though recognised as key in many industries and business dealings, is not mandatory or a legal requirement. However, certification helps companies adhere to their country’s respective laws and environmental regulations.

ISO 14001 Blogs

Take a look at our most recent blogs relating to ISO 14001

What is the difference between ISO 14000 and ISO 14001?

ISO 14000 and ISO 14001 both relate to a company’s environmental standards – specifically, the former acts as a ‘family’ of standards, with the latter existing under this as a specific subset within that series.