ISO14000 Explained in Detail - Presented by Environmental Health & Safety Online
By EHSO.com, the site for free, objective, practical information about the environment, health and safety in 2026!
ISO14000 Explained in Detail - Presented by Environmental Health & Safety Online
ISO14000 Environmental Management System - Explained in Detail
What is ISO14000 ? Many companies are now familiar with the Quality systems standards (ISO9000) series of international standards . The ISO-14000 series of international standards have been developed for integrating environmental aspects (those elements of a organization's activities that can interact with the environment) into operations and product standards. The international committee finalized the ISO 14001 standards for environmental management systems in September of 1996. In a manner very similar to the Quality Management System (QMS) of ISO 9001, ISO14001 requires implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS) that complies with the defined internationally recognized standards (as set forth in the ISO14001 specification). This standard does not set detailed prescriptive requirements for the management system; rather structual requirements; which is largely common sense, as we shall see. The ISO14001 standard specifies requirements for establishing- an environmental policy,
- determining environmental aspects & impacts of products/activities/services,
- planning environmental objectives and measurable targets,
- implementation & operation of programs to meet objectives & targets,
- checking & corrective action, and
- management review.
What does ISO14001 require?
Environmental Policy: As mentioned above, the most important requirement is a committment by the company and it's senior management to achieving a working environmental management system, and to maintaining that system. This must be documented in a published, communicated environmental policy.
Documentation: Certain environmental program elements, including the policy, plans, objectives, etc., must be documented (written down). As with ISO9001, one of the the keys to a successful (achieving environmental and financial goals) ISO14001 EMS is having documented procedures that are implemented and maintained in such a way that achievement of environmental goals appropriate to the type and scale of our activities is promoted inherently, and without a bureaucracy or additional expense.
Planning : This planning, or setting of environmental objectives and targets is critical to the success. The goals must be reasonable and achievable, and based on practical considerations, not aribtrarily chosen. The procedures must be established for ongoing review of the environmental aspects & impacts of products, activities, & services. Based on these environmental aspects & impacts, environmental goals and objectives must be established that are consistent with the environmental policy Programs must then be set in place to implement these activities. Checking: The EMS must include appropriate monitoring and review to ensure effective functioning of the EMS and to identify and implement corrective measures in a timely manner. Internal audits of the EMS must be conducted routinely to ensure that non-conformances to the system are identified and addressed. Management Review : Designated management must conduct an ongoing review process that ensures top management involvement in the assessment of the EMS, and as necessary, addressing need for changes. The Environmental Management System (EMS) document is the central document that describes the interaction of the core elements of the system, and provides a third-party auditor with the key information necessary to understand the environmental management systems in-place at the company. Consistent with the principles of ISO14001, the Environmental Policy and Environmental Aspects/impacts analysis, including legal & other requirements, shape the program by influencing the selection of specific measurable environmental goals, objectives, & targets. Specific programs and/or projects must then be developed to achieve these environmental goals, objectives, & targets (in ISO14001 terms, this would be referred to as "Implementation & Operation"). The checking & corrective action elements of the system help ensure continuous improvement by addressing root causes on non-conformances. The ongoing management review of the EMS and its elements helps to ensure continuing suitability, adequacy, & effectiveness of the program.Why the concern about ISO-14001?
For many companies, conformance to ISO14001 may become a contractual requirement of customers in both the U.S. and the European Community (EC). Also, because ISO-14000 is a continuation of the ISO-9000 Product Quality standards, it is expected that ISO-14001 will eventually become a requirement for attaining ISO-9001 re-certification. Thus, many companies are setting goals to establish environmental management systems that conform to ISO14001 guidelines in order to remain competitive in the global marketplace. For those companies who have already obtained ISO9001 registration and/or follow Total Quality Management (TQM) system principles, the ISO-14001 registration is a logical next step because it is very similar to ISO-9001 and the principles of TQM. In addition to the product marketing benefits of obtaining ISO14001 registration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently considering regulatory incentives under its Common Sense Initiative (CSI) program to benefit companies certified to ISO-14001. See our ISO14000 news page for information about companies who are already certified to the ISO14000 standardWhat is the benefit of being registered to ISO14001 What is the benefit of being registered to ISO14001?
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. Conformance to the standard can help your company remain competitive in the marketplace. For many companies, both their competitors are seeking registration and their customers are beginning to demand conformance to ISO14001 guidelines (as with the ISO9001 standard, the continuous improvement requirements of the standards lead to registered companies eventually needing to require that their suppliers also comply with the ISO14001 standards). By integrating environmental issues, concerns and needs into the overall management of an organization in a sound, nonbureaucratic manner virtually always resulting in a lower total cost and higher overall quality of products and services. In addition, by establishing and maintaining an Environmental Management System that meets the standards established by ISO-14001, companies will be implementing a strong and effective environmental management program which reduces violations, fines, and negative publicity.Some of the benefits of implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with the ISO14000 standards, include:
- identifying areas for reduction in energy and other resource consumption and their associated costs,
- reducing environmental liability and risk,
- helping to maintain consistent compliance with legal & regulatory requirements,
- potentially faster permitting processes with state agencies,
- benefiting form regulatory incentives that reward companies showing environmental leadership through certified compliance with environmental excellence,
- preventing pollution and reducing waste, both of which reduces costs,
- responding in a positive fashion to pressure from customers and shareholders,
- improving community goodwill,
- profiting in the market for "green" products, and generally achieving a market advantage,
- lower insurance costs by demonstrating proof of good management before pollution-incident coverage is issued, and
- demonstrating commitment to high-quality.
Standards & Specifications List
EQUIREMENTS - ISO 14001
GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
The ISO 14000 environmental management system standards also includes a series of guidance documents. Unlike the 14001 standard, which is auditable, these documents provide the firm with some guidance on how to implement an environmental management system:
How can EHSO help you ?
EHSO specializes in designing and developing ISO14000 systems, and preparing your company for the certification audit. For more information on how EHSO can assist you with achieving ISO14001 registration at your facility, contact John Slemmer att Tel. 770-645-0788 or by email at iso14000@ehso.com . Having 3 organizations certified, John can also provide you with information on what to expect during the audit process and how to successfully plan & strategize to become ISO14001 certified. In addition, the environmental program management services that we provide incorporate ISO14001 and TQM principles.Ways to save money AND help the environment:
Save water AND money
with this showerhead adapter,
it lets the water flow until the water is hot, then shuts off water flow until you restart it, ShowerStart TSV Hot Water Standby Adapter
Eat healthier AND save money: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric 8 QT Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer, Sterilizer, Pot is Stainless Steel
Protect your health with these:
Mattress Dust mite-Bedbug protector
, 100% Waterproof, Hypoallergenic, Zippered 
Handheld Allergen Vacuum Cleaner with UV Sanitizing
for Allergies and Pet, Kills Mite, Virus, Molds, True HEPA with Powerful Suction removes Hair, Dander, Pollen, Dust
,
Immune Support
Supplement with Quercetin, Vitamin C, Zinc, Vitamin D3
GermGuardian Air Purifier with UV-C Light
and HEPA 13 Filter, R
emoves 99.97% of Pollutants
HEPA Air Purifier
, HEPA Air Cleaner with Washable Pre-Filter, AQI Display, ECO Mode, Sleep Mode, Pet Mode for Pets, Dust, Pollen, Removes 99.97% of Particles, Smoke, Mold, Pet Dander, Dust, Odors
Interesting Reads:
THE PREPPER'S CANNING & PRESERVING BIBLE:
[13 in 1] Your Path to Food Self-Sufficiency. Canning, Dehydrating, Fermenting, Pickling & More, Plus The Food Preservation Calendar for a Sustainable Pantry 
The Backyard Homestead:
Produce all the food you need on just a quarter acre! P
aperback
The Citizens' Guide to Geologic Hazards:
A Guide to Understanding Geologic Hazards Including Asbestos, Radon, Swelling Soils, Earthquakes, Volcanoes
The Uninhabitable Earth:
Life After Warming
Book: The Sixth Extinction:
An Unnatural History Paperback
