In general terms, ISO 14001 helps an organization achieve a balanced relationship with the environment. It is an internationally recognized standard which sets out the framework for an environmental management system rather than establishing the requirements.
This certification will be greatly helpful if the activities carried out in your organization are proving to cause a negative impact on the surrounding environment. This standard is aimed towards any organization, not taking into consideration its size or the activities carried out or its sector.
It provides assurance to the organizations pursuing the standard that their environmental management system is on track, establishing good relations with the environment, stakeholders, region, clients, and any involved parties. It also helps to improve the utility of the resources and allows the organization to enjoy the benefits of cost-saving.
Moreover, an organization achieving this standard can get a marketing advantage over its competitors and fall under a positive spotlight, which in turn enhances the public image.
With over 300,000 organizations opting for the ISO 14001 standard, it certainly can be said that the standard has brought positive impacts to the organizations pursuing it.
The ISO 14001 standard is part of the ISO 14000 of standards on environmental management. This certification can either be voluntarily pursued by the organizations or be required to do so by some regulatory requirements. Integrating ISO 14001 with other management systems, in most cases being ISO 9001, can further help your organization in reaching its objectives. The elements of the ISO 9001 standard can be implemented alongside ISO 14001 to enhance the positive turnabout of the organization.
The framework that is offered by the ISO 14001 standard includes the following:
a) The conditions of the organization
b) Leadership Skills
c) Planning
d) Substructure
e) Execution
f) Operation Evaluation
g) Improvement
What do ISO 14001 Certification Bodies do?
The main objective of getting a certification is to have solid proof that your organization has passed the compliance check.
The certification body analyses and assesses whether the system implemented by the organization show full compliance with the certification requirements of the ISO 14001 standard. There are various methods of assessment that can be deployed depending on the preference and sincerity of the certification body.
If your organization has passed all the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard and showed full compliance, the certification body will then award you with a certification on the basis of the assessment conducted in which the environmental management system of your organization along with additional factors show full compliance with the requirements of the pursued standard.
But remember, just because you have attained the certification does not mean that your work is done and that you will enjoy the benefits of the certification forever. The ISO 14001 certification is valid for up to only three years after which you can go for recertification. It is very important that your organization maintains and follow the requirements of the standard, otherwise, you may very well lose the certification.
Accredited certification bodies are third-party operators which are completely impartial and independent of the target of the certification. Accredited certification bodies must attain the required international compliance in order to carry out their operations.
We are an accredited certification body and will assist you in your venture of acquiring an ISO 14001 standard certification.