BS EN ISO 14001:2015 - TC

What is BS EN ISO 14001 - Environmental management systems about? 

BS EN ISO 14001 is the world's foremost environmental management standard. It is the most widely adopted environmental management system (EMS) in the world and serves as a key business tool for organizations looking to improve their environmental performance.

It provides a framework to help you identify and control how your activities, products and services affect and impact the environment. It helps put robust procedures in place to conserve your resources and save money.

BS EN ISO 14001’s guidance helps businesses put environmental management at the heart of their operations to help meet environmental regulations, improve efficiency and environmental performance.

To learn more about the scope of BS EN ISO 14001 and how to implement its guidance effectively, download our executive briefing.

What are the benefits of BS EN ISO 14001 - Environmental management systems?

Managing environmental impacts with a BS EN ISO 14001 management system helps to achieve a sustainable future and deliver real benefits. It is the business improvement tool that helps organizations implement a flexible and robust environmental management system, making them more resilient and sustainable.

By adopting BS EN ISO 14001’s guidance and changing your process to conform to its requirements, businesses can benefit from:

• Improved environmental performance
• Reduced costs
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Streamlined waste management
• Increased resilience against future uncertainty
• Complying with regulatory requirements
• Continual improvements to manage new environmental challenges
• Improved reputation and stakeholder satisfaction
• Increased access to new customers and business partners
• A competitive advantage to grow your business

Discover the benefits that Oscar Acoustics experienced from implementing the standard. Read their story here.

Who is BS EN ISO 14001 - Environmental management systems for?

BS EN ISO 14001 is suitable for all organizations irrespective of size or sector - be they private, not-for-profit, or governmental.

Those who use this standard can include:

• Sustainability Officers
• Sustainability & Environmental Consultants
• Risk Managers
• Environmental Managers
• Organizational Leadership Teams
• Environmental Auditors

Organizations using BS EN ISO 14001 have found success across a range of areas, including reduced energy and water consumption, a more systematic approach to legal compliance and an improved overall environmental performance.

If you are an SME looking for additional support to establish an environmental management system, read our article ‘Implementing an environmental management system: A guide for SMEs’.

What does BS EN ISO 14001 - Environmental management systems cover?

BS EN ISO 14001 provides a framework for implementing an environmental management system that can help your company deliver operations efficiently and sustainably. It can also ensure that your business has a management system in place that is modern, committed to continual improvement, and designed to transparently report on your environmental impact.

It requires that an organization considers all environmental issues relevant to its operations, such as air pollution, water and sewage issues, waste management, soil contamination, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and resource use and efficiency.

Some other important environmental management standards include:

• BS EN ISO 14002-1 Environmental management systems. Guidelines for using ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions within an environmental topic area – General
• BS EN ISO 14004 Environmental management systems - General guidelines on principles, systems and support techniques
• BS EN ISO 14005 Environmental management systems. Guidelines for a flexible approach to phased implementation
• BS EN ISO 14006 Environmental management systems. Guidelines for incorporating ecodesign
• BS EN ISO 14007 Environmental management. Guidelines for determining environmental costs and benefits

Thinking about investing in BS EN ISO 14001? Consider our Environmental Management Bundle which contains both BS EN ISO 14001 and BS EN ISO 14004 together for a discounted price, for instant access to additional support in setting up an environmental management system.

Notice: If you're considering purchasing the Environmental Management Bundle, it currently includes the 2015 version of the standard. Please refer to the notice about the amended 2024 version here.

What's new about BS EN ISO 14001- Environmental management system?

BS EN ISO 14001 underwent a major revision in 2015. Its guidance was reviewed and updated to ensure that the standard continues to serve organizations, maintain its relevance in today’s industry landscape and meet the environmental challenges of the future.

Other key improvements made in the 2015 version include:

• A greater commitment from leadership
• An increased alignment with strategic direction
• Greater protection for the environment, with a focus on proactive initiatives
• More effective communication, driven through a communications strategy
• Lifecycle thinking, considering each stage of a product or service, from development to end-of-life

The revised environmental management systems standard also introduced a new high-level structure of terms, definitions, and headings to ensure harmony with the other management systems standards. This made it easier for users of several standards, for example BS EN ISO 9001, to integrate their management system standards within their organization.

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