BS 8555:2016

What is this standard about?

BS 8555 helps organizations improve their environmental performance by providing a way to build an environmental management system (EMS) in five phased stages. 

This is generally a more manageable approach for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). They can stop at any stage, but if they want to keep going it puts them on track to achieve the requirements of BS EN ISO 14001, the international EMS standard, and gain ISO 14001 certification. 

Who is this standard for?

• Any SME that wants to improve its environmental performance, regardless of its business activity, location or level of maturity
• Larger organizations that want to introduce an EMS across a number of sites at once 

Why should you use this standard? 

It provides guidance on the phased implementation of an EMS allowing organizations to implement and maintain an EMS via a staged approach. Users have the option to stop at any stage or to continue and attain a level suitable for ISO 14001 certification.

It includes advice on the integration and use of environmental performance evaluation (EPE) techniques during the implementation process and on coordinating an EMS with other management systems, where appropriate.

BS 8555 will help organizations to:

• Achieve regulatory requirements and demonstrate to stakeholders that they are giving consideration to environmental impacts
• Manage resources and changes in circumstances
• Develop their business while reducing the environmental impact of growth; decreasing waste; and saving energy
• Become more innovative and improve management system processes 
• Enhance corporate reputation among investors, customers and the public
• Stay abreast of changes in the environmental arena, ensuring they remain ahead of the curve

What’s changed since the last update?

The standard was updated to make sure it continues to help organizations improve business processes, save money and deal with future environmental challenges. The update also aligns it with BS EN ISO 14001:2015 and current thinking. This means, for example:

• Understanding the organization’s context is added
• Focus on leadership is increased
• Improvements have been made in environmental performance
• There’s a new focus on risk and opportunity

Phase 6 and associated guidance has also been removed to make the standard simpler and easier to use.