Iso 14001 Certification

The International Organisation for Standardisation is an international body that develops standards on a variety of subjects

. ISO standards are known widely to be an assurance of superior quality. While there are ISO standards that deal with specific products and services, there are also broad based standards that are related to organisational or management systems. ISO 14000 is a set of standards relating to environmental management systems within an organisation.

This set of standards is applicable to any company, business or organisation that wishes to conform wholly to current environmental laws and regulations, to minimise the negative impact of the organisation's processes on the environment and to increase the environmental efficiency of the organisation. ISO 14000 includes ISO 14001 which comprises of a core set of standards.

The general aim of ISO 14001 standards is to provide a framework within which companies can design and develop an efficient environmental management system. Having an ISO 14001 certification is akin to making a public declaration of the organisation's compliance with all relevant legal requirements, as well as its commitment to competent environmental management. Standards cover all aspects that are related to the environment, to include waste management systems and resource management systems.

Apart from reducing the impact on the environment, an ISO 14001 certification can bring other tangible benefits to an organisation. It can improve the company's credentials, which may translate into growth. By making systems more efficient and less wasteful, it can also help make significant cost cuts. By conforming to current environmental regulations and legal requirements, companies can minimise the risks related to liability.

As negative human impact on the environment becomes more and more apparent, consumers are becoming more aware of environmental consequences and showing a clear preference towards environmentally responsible companies. In this light, businesses and organisations that are compliant with ISO 14001 have a clear advantage over those that do not, both now as well as in terms of the future.

The process of obtaining an ISO 14001 certification involves various stages. The first stage of course is a gap analysis, which helps identify where the organisation is lacking. A clear understanding of which areas need improvement to come up to ISO standards and meet all legal requirements can help in designing an appropriate environmental management system. This is followed by stages involving actual implementation, additional audits and finally that of continual improvement, whereby the EMS is enriched and improved over time.

ISO endorsement is carried out by independent ISO certifying agencies. These need to be endorsed by a national accreditation body. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service accredits consulting and certification agencies that are qualified and able to carry out the proper certification process. When choosing a certifying body, it is important to select a UKAS accredited agency as this ensures objective and authentic assessment, as per the recommended standards.

The ISO 14001 covers all types of organisations, from businesses to charities. This is the most optimal way for companies and other organisations to ensure efficient environmental management. It not only helps reduce environmental impact, but greatly improves the organisation's long term viability and its credentials.

by: Harry Smith

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