Department of Environmental Science’s Karakoram international University Gilgit

Topic: What is ISO 14001 Certification

Submitted to: Dr .karamat ali

Submitted by: Ali

Registration No: 2018-KIU-451-D

Course: EMS

Semester: Bs6th

Date: 15/Feb/2021

Introduction

ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies an Environmental Management System framework
against which an organization can be certified by a third party. With ISO 14001:2004, clauses have been
clarified and updated to be in harmony with ISO 9001:2008. ISO 14001 is considered the foundation
document of the entire ISO 14000 series. This highly effective, globally accepted framework establishes
and continually improves applicable management system processes. ISO 14001 can also be used as a
guide to upgrade your company's present environmental management system in accordance with an
internationally recognized set of requirements.

The procedures and elements of the ISO 14001 certification are based on sound environmental
management principles. It contains only those requirements that can be objectively audited, and
addresses the fundamental aspects of a company's operations. It can be used to integrate the
environmental system with the overall organizational management structure to enhance performance
and continual improvement.

Environmental Management System (EMS)

Of all the standards within the ISO 14000 series, ISO 14001 is the standard that specifies the
requirements for an organization's EMS. The Environmental Management System (EMS) document is the
central document controlling the interaction of the core elements in the organization, and provides a
third-party auditor with the key information necessary to understand the environmental management
systems in place. It is a "tool" that enables an organization of any size or type to control the impact of its
activities, products or services on the environment. As in the case of ISO 9001, the key to a successful ISO
14001 EMS is having documented procedures that are implemented and maintained so that they
describe environmental goals and their place in all other company-wide activities. ISO 14001 standards
require sites to document and make an Environmental Policy available to the public. In addition,
procedures should be established for a continuous review of the environmental aspects and the impacts
of products, activities, and services. Based on these environmental aspects and impacts, then goals and
objectives are established that are consistent with the environmental policy,. As with a QMS, Internal
Audits of the EMS should be conducted routinely to ensure that non-conformances in the system are
identified and addressed. In addition, the management review process must be in place to ensure top
management's involvement in the assessment of EMS.

According to ISO 14001, there are six key elements of an EMS:

1. Environmental policy - the organization states its intentions and commitment to environmental
performance.
2. Planning - the organization analyzes the environmental impact of its operations.
3. Implementation and operation - the development and execution of processes to realize
environmental goals and objectives.
4. Checking and corrective action - monitoring and measurement of environmental indicators to
ensure that goals and objectives are met.
5. Management review - review of the EMS by the organization's top management to ensure its
continuing suitability, adequacy and effectiveness.
6. Continual improvement - An EMS enables an organization to control the environmental impact
of its activities, products and services by establishing targets and objectives related to identified
environmental management goals.

ISO 14001 Registration

Once a company has implemented an ISO 14001 EMS, it can either self-certify that it meets the
requirements of the standard, or have an external party, an ISO 14000 registrar, document that the
company has met the standard's requirements. This is referred to as ISO 14001 registration. There are
certain advantages associated with third-party registration. External registration is more credible to
customers and regulatory agencies. Also, bringing in a third-party expert allows a company to obtain
practical guidance on system design and implementation.

There are five steps leading to ISO 14001 registration:

1)Gap Analysis

This is the review of the company's existing program to determine the changes the company needs to
initiate in order to conform its environmental management system to ISO 14001 requirements.

2)Initial Implementation

Implementation of an ISO 14001 EMS requires a company to:

Develop an implementation strategy (including selecting a registrar if the company is going to seek third-
party registration).

Update or redesign documentation (written policies, programs, procedures, forms) so that they align
with ISO specifications.
Train personnel and communicate with other parties as needed to implement the revised EMS, and

Develop measuring, corrective action, internal audit and management review procedures (if not already
in place).

3)Pre-Registration Internal Audits

Many registrars prefer a company to do at least one full cycle of internal audits and management review
prior to seeking registration.

4)Registration

The selected registrar performs an EMS registration audit to test for conformance of the company's EMS
to the requirements specified in ISO 14001.

5)Ongoing Implementation

Becoming registered is not the end of the process. A major component of ISO 14001 is continuous
improvement -- your EMS needs to change as your company's products, processes, or personnel change.
It also needs to change according to the fluctuations in overall business or regulatory conditions.

Possible EMS implementation Benefits

A properly designed EMS allows efficient identification of opportunities for cost savings. It can trigger
procedural and/or technological changes that reduce the total cost of a product or improve its value.
Some of the benefits of implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with
the ISO 14000 standards include:

Operational Benefits

o Efficiency, discipline and operational integration with ISO 9000.

o Greater employee involvement in business operations with a more motivated workforce.
o Easier to obtain operational permits and authorizations.
o Assists in developing and transferring technology within the company.
o Helps reduce pollution.
o Fewer operating costs.
o Savings from safer workplace conditions.
o Reduction of costs associated with emissions, discharges, waste handling, transport & disposal.
o Improvements in the product as a result of process changes.
o Safer products.

Environmental Benefits
 o Minimizes hazardous and non-hazardous waste.
o Conserves natural resources--electricity, gas, space and water with resultant cost savings.
o Prevents pollution and reduces wastage.
o Marketing Benefits
o Demonstrates to customers that the firm has met environmental expectations.
o Meets potential national and international government purchasing requirements.
o Delivers profits from marketing "green" products.
o Provides a competitive marketing tool.
o Improves international competitiveness

Financial Benefits

o Improves the organization's relationship with insurance companies.

o Elimination of costs associated with conformance to conflicting national standards.
o Process cost savings by reduction of material and energy input.
o Satisfying investor / shareholder criteria.
o Helps reduce liability and risk.
o Improved access to capital.

Third party ISO 14001 Certification Benefits

o ISO certification will enhance the ability to provide the written documentation necessary to
demonstrate compliance with regulations.
o Demonstrates a commitment to governmental authorities that the firm is moving beyond
compliance and pursuing continual improvement.
o Preferred government supplier status.
o Reduces monitoring and reporting requirements.
o Communicates evaluation and acceptance by an accredited, third party professional
organization.
o Negates "conflict of interest" claims associated with organizations that "self-declare" the status
of their programs.
o Validates the integrity of an organization's claims.
o Provides organizations with an un-biased review of their programs, policies, etc
o Addresses the requirement to compete in international markets.
o Demonstrates the company's environmental responsibility to shareholder groups.
o Possible reduction in need for multiple on-site audits by regulatory agencies.

WHO SHOULD USE THE ISO 14001:2015 REVISION?

ISO 14001:2015 should be used by any organization that wishes to set up, improve, or maintain an
environmental management system to conform with its established environmental policy and
requirements. The requirements of the standard can be incorporated into any environmental
management system, the extent to which is determined by several factors including the organization’s
industry, environmental policy, products and service offerings, and location.
ISO 14001:2015 is relevant to all organizations, regardless of size, location, sector, or industry.

What topics does ISO 14001:2015 cover?

At the highest level, ISO 14001:2015 covers the following topics with regard to environmental
management systems:

o Context of the organization

o Leadership
o Planning
o Support
o Operation
o Performance evaluation
o Improvement
14001:2004 vs. 14001:2015

The 2015 revision of ISO 14001 introduces a number of changes from previous versions. A detailed
explanation of the changes can be found in this ISO 14001 presentation by the ASQ Energy and
Environmental Division.

As part of the effort to structure all ISO standards in the same way, the ISO 14001:2015 revisions include
incorporating a required high-level structure, using mandatory definitions, and incorporating common
standards requirements and clauses.

10 major areas of impact of the 2015 revision:

1. Expansion in EMS coverage and scope

2. Required interactions with external parties
3. New requirements for leadership engagement
4. Expanded legal compliance requirements
5. Need for risk-based planning and controls
6. New documentation requirements
7. Expanded operational control requirements
8. Changes in competence and awareness requirements
9. Impacts on the internal audit program
10. Increased certification costs

Integrating ISO 9001 and ISO 14001

Integrating management systems standards can increase focus while reducing the potential for
confusion. Elements of ISO 9001 can be enhanced with corresponding components of ISO 14001.

Responsibilities for the combined standards might include:

 Drafting a policy statement and quantifiable objectives

 Setting up organizational charts and job descriptions
 Providing adequate resources
 Managing documentation for both standards in a single document control system
  Appointing a management representative as well as coordinators for the quality and
environmental managements systems

When adding ISO 14001 components to those of ISO 9001, planning must be expanded to deal with
environmental impacts, and the inspection and test systems modified to cover environmental
conformance. The organization must meet the environmental expectations of customers and the
government, and it must incorporate environmental management elements into internal audit programs
and training sessions.

ISO 14001 can be integrated with standards besides ISO 9001 in order to provide synergy with other
systems, such as OHSAS 18001 and ISO 13485.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ISO 14001:2015?

Using ISO 14001:2015 has many benefits for organizations with environmental management systems.
Organizations and companies find that using the standard helps them:

o Improve resource efficiency

o Reduce waste
o Drive down costs
o Provide assurance that environmental impact is being measured
o Gain competitive advantage in supply chain design
o Increase new business opportunities
o Meet legal obligations
o Increase stakeholder and customer trust
o Improve overall environmental impact
o Manage environmental obligations with consistency

ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION

Organizations that have already achieved ISO 14001 certification are encouraged to transition to the
2015 version. Organizations will have a three-year transition period to update their environmental
management systems to the new standard.

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