ISO 14001

ISO 14000 is a family of ISO standards that applies to environmental management systems. ISO 14001 consists of two general standards. ISO 14001: 2004 lists the requirements necessary for an EMS system to be ISO-compliant, while 14004: 2004 provides general guidelines for EMS quality. Other ISO 14001 standards are more industry-specific in nature.

ISO 14001 Benefits

The ISO 14001 family of standards offers a number of important benefits for companies whose business operations impact the environment, either directly or indirectly, or who simply are concerned about maintaining an environmentally conscious image in the eyes of their customers or the general public.

When developed and implemented effectively, the ISO 14001 family can even enhance an organization's bottom line through increased efficiency of operations and by attracting environmentally conscious customers by taking a more eco-friendly business approach.

In its role as the foundation of the ISO 14001 family of standards, ISO 14001 provides the framework for effective EMS processes. Regardless of the industry, formulating and adhering to ISO 14001-compliant processes ensures management is able to maintain control of all company activities that may have an impact on the environment, allowing it to identify and modify or eliminate potentially environmentally harmful processes before they cause damage or injury. ISO 14001 adherence also reassures stakeholders the company is doing all it can to protect the environment.

In a time when stringent regulations are being developed and implemented to protect the environment on a seemingly daily basis, ISO 14001 compliance provides protection against the unintentional violation of these regulations, which can come with severe financial penalties. It also prevents the resulting public relations "black eye" that often occurs when violations are made public.