What is new?
ISO 14001 was 20 years old in 2016 having been originally published in 1996.
The third edition was published in September 2015. It incorporates a number of new concepts as well as using the ISO common framework for management systems.
For organisations with accredited certificates to ISO 14001 International Accreditation Forum has defined a three year time frame for transition to ISO 14001:2015
Frequently Asked Questions on ISO 14001:2015
- General Concepts
- Terms and Definitions
- Clause Specific Concepts
The terms "HLS" and "Annex SL" refer to the high level structure, identical core text, common terms and core definitions for use in management system standards (MSS) set out in Annex SL to the ISO Directives Part 1 2015 (6th edition).
GENERAL CONCEPTS
1.Why has some of the text in Annex SL, ISO’s requirements for management system standards, been modified?
In order to add environmental management system (EMS)-specific requirements into the core text and still comply with the rules governing the use of Annex SL, it was agreed to use an integrated approach in a flexible way to incorporate EMS-specific requirements, depending on the subject, and in line with ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 operating principles. Sometimes the EMS requirements were added in a separate sentence or bullet; sometimes they were inserted within the generic Annex SL sentence or bullet.
WG5 operating principles related to text included:
- simplicity, clarity and translatability
- be concise and avoid redundancy
- flexibility and ease of use of the standard
- verifiability
- compatibility with the other elements of the standard.
In some cases, some Annex SL words were replaced for consistency. For example, on the use of "plan, establish, implement, maintain, control, continually improve…" it was agreed that consistent use of the phrase in ISO 14001:2015 was important, but it has been adjusted in selected clauses to address the specific intent of the clause correctly. For example, in 6.1.1, WG5 used the wording "establish, implement and maintain (the) process(es)", which is different from 8.1 where the wording used by WG5 is "establish, implement, control and maintain".
2. What happened to all of the required procedures in ISO 14001:2004?
ISO 14001:2015 avoids the use of the term “procedure” because it has been incorrectly applied by many as meaning "documented procedure".
In addition to the specific clauses that require a “process”, Clause 4.4 requires an organization to establish processes needed for its environmental management system. Clause A.4.4 clarifies that it’s up to the organization to determine the extent processes are needed in order to have confidence that they are controlled, carried out as planned and achieve the desired results.
Clause A.8.1 on operational planning and control, clarifies that there are different ways of ensuring that processes are effective and achieve the desired results (see bullets a) to f)). Establishing a “procedure” (i.e. a specified way to perform a process) is just one of those ways (see bullet c), and establishing a “documented procedure” is another way (see bullet f).
Clause 7.5.1 references the documented information required in specific clauses of the standard, and also any other documented information the organization deems necessary for the effectiveness of its environmental management system.
Taking into account the provisions of these clauses, WG5 reevaluated the need for required “procedures” in the 2015 version, and agreed to specify requirements for “processes” in select clauses, and, in some cases, requirements to document these processes. This allows organizations the flexibility to determine if a process has to be carried out in a specified way (i.e., “procedure”), if other operational control methods are more appropriate, and if additional documented information may be needed.
3.Why is there no clause on Management of Change?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that no stand-alone clause or sub-clause in the requirements would be added to address "management of change". "Management of change" is addressed in suitable sub-clauses and, explanatory text on managing change is provided in the Annex, A.1.
4. Why does ISO 14001 sometimes use "effect" and sometimes "impact"?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that the word "effects" used in the definition of “risks and opportunities” and elsewhere in the standard covers both "effects" on the organization and on the environment. The phrase “environmental impact” is used when referring specifically to “effects” on the environment.
5. What is the intent of the phrase "enhance environmental performance"?
The underlying intent of this phrase is to reduce the organization’s adverse environmental impacts (i.e. reduce resource use, emissions, effluents, wastes, etc.) or to enhance the organizations beneficial impacts (e.g.: reuse and recycling of by-products, land conservation, etc.). This concept is referred to as "operational performance" in ISO 14031. ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 wanted to retain alignment with Annex SL and ISO 14031 concepts with respect to improvement of the environmental management system, consistent with the ISO 14001 revision mandate, but in selected clauses wanted to emphasize the focus on improving operational performance. It was agreed to use the phrase "to enhance environmental performance" in those clauses where WG5 agreed to add emphasis.
6. What is expected in clauses 4.1, 4.2 and 6.1?
The expectation begins with a conceptual understanding followed by a more detailed determination. For example, the expectation in 4.1 and 4.2 is for a conceptual understanding of the issues and interested party requirements that are relevant to the organization. Regarding 6.1, the intent is that a detailed determination of significant environmental aspects (6.1.2) and compliance obligations (6.1.3) is carried out. Consistent with "risk-based thinking", the intent of 6.1.1 is to generate a conceptual analysis of the "risks and opportunities" associated with other issues and requirements. There is no requirement or expectation for a detailed risk assessment.
7. What is the intent of the new phrase "person(s) doing work under its control"?
As set out in the Annex, A.3, the phrase "person(s) doing work under its control" includes persons working for the organization and those working on its behalf for which the organization has responsibility (e.g. contractors). It replaces the phrase “persons working for it or on its behalf” and “persons working for or on behalf of the organization” used in the prior edition of ISO 14001. The intent of this new phrase does not differ from that of the previous edition.
8. What does "intended outcomes of the EMS" mean?
In Clause 1, Scope, the concept of "intended outcomes" is introduced. Further explanation is provided in Annex, A.3. The phrase “intended outcome” expresses what the organization is expected to achieve by implementing its environmental management system. The three minimal "intended outcomes" include enhancement of environmental performance, fulfilment of compliance obligations and achievement of environmental objectives. Organizations can set additional intended outcomes for their environmental management system. For example, consistent with their commitment to protection of the environment, an organization may establish an intended outcome to work towards sustainable development.
TERMS & DEFINITIONS
9. How are the terms and definitions ordered in clause 3?
As set out in ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, terms and definitions are listed according to the hierarchy of the concepts (reflecting the sequencing of their introduction in the standard). In the case of ISO 14001:2015, terms are grouped by major clause title (i.e. Context of the Organization, Leadership, Planning, etc.). ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed to order terms within the groupings such that (i) discipline-specified terms are presented consecutively after its generic form, and to the extent possible (ii) present terms in the order in which they appear in the text. WG5 inserted an "Alphabetical index of terms", which may be modified to reflect alphabetical listings in another language.
10. Why is the term "compliance obligations" used in the English version of ISO 14001 but "legal requirements and other requirements" used in some translations?
To address a translation issue for some languages, ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed to add to the definition of “compliance obligation” the admitted term "legal requirements and other requirements”. When preparing other language versions of ISO 14001:2015, National Member Bodies responsible for translation may choose to use the term that best conveys the meaning of the definition.
11. Is there a difference between the use of the term "compliance obligations" in ISO 14001 for environmental management and ISO 19600 for compliance management?
Yes. ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 modified the definition of this term by adding "Note 1 to entry (normative)" to clarify that “compliance obligations” in ISO 14001 are limited to just those requirements related to the environmental management system.
12. Does ISO 14001 treat the applications of an organization’s various compliance obligations (e.g. mandatory requirements, voluntary requirements, etc.) the same?
Yes. ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that EMS clauses and associated provisions applied equally to:
- mandatory requirements such as regulations and legally binding requirements,
- obligations that you have no choice but to comply with, even though they aren’t technically legally binding, such as directives set by a parent company to a subsidiary, or a corporate directive to various divisions,
- and voluntary requirements such as commitments the organization chooses to make.
WG5 did not want to distinguish these by either (1) establishing separate provisions (i.e., shall statements) for each or (2) providing redundant provisions for each.
13. What is an outsourced process?
An outsourced process differs from procured products and services. Specific conditions for an outsourced process were introduced in Annex A, A.8.1. It is "a process or function performed by an external organization that fulfils all of the following:
- it is within the scope of the environmental management system;
- it is integral to the organization’s functioning;
- it is needed for the environmental management system to achieve its intended outcome;
- liability for conforming to requirements is retained by the organization, and
- the organization and the external provider have a relationship where the process is perceived by interested parties as being carried out by the organization.”
CLAUSE SPECIFIC CONCEPTS
14. What is meant by "issues" in clause 4.1?
"Issues" include important topics for the organization, problems for debate and discussion or changing circumstances that can affect, either positively or negatively, the intended outcomes of the environmental management system.
- Environmental conditions, e.g. air, water, land, natural resources, are NOT the only issues relevant to an EMS.
- Issues can arise from non-environmental external and internal subjects, e.g. financial, technology, governance (see examples given in the Annex, A.4.1).
- Risks/opportunities are NOT issues; risks/opportunities arise from issues.
15. What is meant by the "organization’s purpose"?
In 4.1 paragraph 1, the organization’s “purpose” refers to why the organization exists, its "raison d’être". It covers the activities that are core to the organization’s existence, and are often reflected in an organization’s vision and mission.
16. What is expected as the output of clauses 4.1 and 4.2?
The output of these clauses is knowledge. This is a conceptual understanding of how internal and external issues, including environmental conditions, and relevant interested party requirements may affect an organization’s ability to achieve the intended outcomes of its EMS. This knowledge is used as an input to the design and improvement of the EMS.
Evidence of this knowledge appears in other sections of an organization’s EMS, for example. It was agreed that 4.1 and 4.2 did not need documented information to meet the requirements. As each EMS is unique, an organization may decide, under 7.5.1, if additional documented information is needed for the effectiveness of its EMS.
17. What is the intent of clause 4.2?
Clause 4.2 is a strategic, exploratory step for an organization to gather information about interested parties in order to understand their relevant needs and expectations.
It was agreed in ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 that the organization determines its compliance obligations at a "conceptual level" in 4.2 based on knowledge of the relevant requirements of relevant interested parties. A detailed analysis of these requirements is conducted in 6.1.3.
When referring to interested parties in 4.2, the term "requirements" was replaced with "needs and expectations". This was done to preserve the distinction between an interested party requirement that is a mandatory requirement (such as a law or permit condition) and one that the organization chooses to uphold (such as a contractual agreement). The decision to commit to interested party needs and expectations and then take them into account when designing its EMS remains in the hands of the organization.
18. What is the intent of considering clauses 4.1 and 4.2 when determining the scope of an EMS?
An organization retains the authority to determine the scope of its EMS. It has the autonomy to prioritize which of the issues identified in 4.1 and 4.2 it will address in its EMS. Clause 4.3 does not imply that the organization must work on all issues.
Further, it was agreed by ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 that the intent is to consider compliance obligations (the relevant interested party requirements that the organization has to or chooses to comply with), not necessarily all interested party requirements. Therefore, the phrase used the term "consider", not "take into account".
19. What is the intent of clause 4.3, determining the scope of an EMS?
“Scope” of the EMS includes the organization’s functions, physical boundaries, and its activities, products and services to which ISO 14001 requirements will apply. It is common practice to consider the items described in the bullet points when establishing scope statements.
The long standing consensus position to allow organizations to phase-in EMS implementation was confirmed and preserved by ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 in the 2015 version of ISO 14001. To address the concern that some might "cherry-pick" activities, products and services to purposefully exclude those with significant environmental aspects, a requirement to make the scope available to interested parties was added to ensure transparency, and avoid misunderstanding.
Once the scope and boundaries of the EMS have been defined, no exclusion of activities, products or services within the defined scope is permitted. While an organization retains the freedom and flexibility to determine the boundaries of its scope, its conformance to ISO 14001:2015 should be based on a robust, credible and reliable EMS.
Consistent with the intent of the following requirement in ISO 14001:2004, 4.1, "the organization shall …determine how it will fulfil these requirements", ISO 14001:2015 preserves the concept that the organization retains the autonomy to decide how it will fulfil its EMS requirements. See Annex, A.4.3 and A.4.4 for further clarification.
20. What is the intent of the policy commitment to protect the environment?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed
- that the intent was to have a policy commitment to protect the environment (the inclusive meaning as captured in the defined term 3.2.1) which includes the concept of "prevention of pollution" but could also include other concepts (i.e. sustainable resource use, climate change mitigation, etc.).
- to retain the emphasis on “prevention of pollution”.
- that it is intended to cover something broader than “prevention of pollution” that implies positive, proactive efforts.
21. What is the intent of the requirement to determine "risks and opportunities"?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that:
- “risks and opportunities” are more than environmental risks (i.e. related to air, water, land, natural resources etc.), and can result from other non–environmental issues that pose risk.
- “risks and opportunities” are NOT always relevant to the EMS; only if they can affect the organization’s purpose and the intended outcomes of the EMS.
- the intent is to determine and address the risks and opportunities associated with organizational context (i.e. "issues" from 4.1 and 4.2 that have the potential for (i) adverse effects (risks) or (ii) beneficial effects (opportunities)to the intended outcomes of the environmental management system, and to use this knowledge as one of the inputs to the prioritization of risks (threats) and opportunities.
- there is no requirement for a prescriptive risk management process in the standard.
Additional guidance on risks and opportunities is provided in the Annex, A.6.1.
22. What are some examples of criteria for determining that an environmental aspect is significant?
Environmental criteria (for example, toxicity, duration and likelihood of exposure, etc.) are the primary and minimum criteria for assessing environmental aspects. Other criteria may also be used (example: an aspect may not be significant when considering only environmental criterion but when other organizational issues are considered (such as threat of a noncompliance, or an opportunity to satisfy the needs and expectations of a relevant interested party), the aspect may take on a higher priority or greater importance for determining significance. However, other criteria are not to be used to downgrade an aspect that is significant based on its environmental impact.
23. Is the determination of risks and opportunities, environmental aspects and compliance obligations separate processes, or can they be consolidated?
The organization decides if they want to do separate analyses for sub-clauses 6.1.1 to 6.1.4 or combine some (or all) of the analyses. ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed not to imply that significant environmental aspects (the output of 6.1.2) or compliance obligations (the output of 6.1.3) need to undergo a second "filtering" step to determine the "risks and opportunities" that need to be addressed in 6.1.4. Since the organization can determine risks and opportunities" related to issues, significant environmental aspects, and compliance obligations either separately or in combination, it is required that the organization plans a process and maintains documented information on the process (including the criteria used to determine significant environmental aspects) to the extent necessary to have confidence that the process has been carried out as planned. ISO 14001:2015 does, however, require the output of the process (or processes) to be documented.
24. What is the relationship between clauses 4.1, 4.2, 6.1 and 8.1?
Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 provide knowledge which the organization uses in 6.1 to determine risks and opportunities that need to be addressed, significant environmental aspects, including application of a life cycle perspective, and compliance obligations in 6.1. These are inputs to 6.1.4 and 8.1 which is focused on the implementation of operational controls needed to address the planned actions identified in 6.1.4.
25. Why were the business considerations moved out of the clause on environmental objectives?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that an organization had various options when planning actions to take in 6.1.4. The considerations for environmental objectives (i.e. technological options, etc.) apply to all these options, and therefore were moved to 6.1.4.
26. Now that an organization plans actions to address risks and opportunities, compliance obligations and significant aspects, are environmental objectives required?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that an organization had various options when planning actions to take in 6.1.4, but an environmental objective had to be established as a minimum.
WG5 agreed that taking into account significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations and considering risks and opportunities when setting the environmental objectives did not imply repeating the determination of which significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations and risks and opportunities need to be addressed (these were determined in 6.1).
27. Why aren’t the topics that are required to be communicated listed in clause 7.4?
Following the Annex SL model for placing requirements for documented information, requirements for communicating a particular topic are placed in the clause corresponding to where that topic is discussed, and not summarized in 7.4.
28. Does clause 8.1 impose requirements on external providers?
ISO standards can only impose requirements on the organization adopting the standard. 8.1 focuses on the internal processes that can be used to influence external providers, not on controlling the external providers’ processes. The term "external providers" was used to encompass the suppliers of either procured products and services or outsourced processes, and to align with ISO 9001.
29. Why does ISO 14001 include a new requirement for design?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that operational planning and control should address design activities because important decisions are made that can potentially affect the environmental impacts at each stage of the product and service life cycle.
30. Does ISO 14001 require the organization to communicate its environmental impacts to everyone in its value chain?
No. An organization has the flexibility to provide information on potential significant environmental impacts during the delivery, use, and end-of-life stage; hence the phrase "consider the need" was retained.
31. Did ISO 14001:2015 remove the 2004 requirement to identify potential emergency situations?
No. It was agreed that the requirement to identify potential emergency situations was better aligned with the Plan phase of the PDCA model, rather than the control phase, so it is now covered in 6.1.1.
32. Does clause 9.3 d) 4) apply only to internal EMS audits or is the intent to include information on both internal and external EMS-related audits?
The intent when using the term "audit" in 9.2.2 refers to internal audits conducted by the organization or on its behalf only (consistent with the title of sub-clause), whereas in 9.3 it refers to both internal and external EMS-related audits (i.e., 1st, 2nd and 3rd party).
33. What is the intent of the phrase "continual improvement of the environmental management system to enhance environmental performance"?
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 5 agreed that the ultimate goal of system improvement is that it results in environmental performance improvement. WG5 also agreed that EMS improvement can include environmental performance improvement. It was noted that in some cases the intent of a requirement focused on EMS improvement, while in others the intent was to emphasize environmental performance improvement. -
WG5 therefore used the following:
- Where the term "continual improvement" is used on its own, the intent is to focus on both EMS improvement and environmental performance improvement, with no particular emphasis on either.
- Where the phrase “continual improvement of the environmental management system” is used on its own, the intent is to focus on just environmental management system improvement.
- Where the phrase “enhance environmental performance” is used on its own, the intent is to focus on just environmental performance improvement
- Where the phrase "continual improvement of the environmental management system to enhance its environmental performance" is used, the intent is to focus on both EMS improvement and environmental performance improvement, with added emphasis on performance improvement.
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