What is ISO 14000?
ISO
14000 is a series of international standards that have
been developed to incorporate environmental aspects into
business operations and product standards. ISO 14001 is
a specific standard in the series for a management
system that incorporates a set of interrelated elements
designed to minimize an organization’s impact on the
environment. Similar to the ISO 9001 Quality Management
System (QMS), ISO 14001 defines the implementation of an
Environmental Management System (EMS). In addition,
ISO14001 incorporates the QMS ISO 9001 management system
philosophy, terminology, and requirement structure,
providing system compatibility.
What Does ISO 14001
Require?
Originally issued in 1996 and later revised in 2004, the
ISO 14001 EMS standard is intended to address the
identification, evaluation, and continual improvement of
an organization’s activities, products, or services that
interact with the environment. The ISO 14001 methodology
is a systematic approach for continually improving
environmental management through identification and
evaluation of aspects and impacts, development of
objectives and measurable targets, implementation of
programs, and on-going monitoring and review.
What are the Benefits
of Implementing an Environmental Management System?
Cost
reduction, pollution prevention and waste reduction
opportunities.
Response
to customer or shareholder demands
Profit in
market for "Green Products”
Reduced
consumption of natural resources and energy
Minimization of environmental liability and risk
Systemized
approach to compliance with environmental regulations
Regulatory
incentives for demonstrated environmental leadership
Opportunity to streamline environmental efforts
Ease of
managing legal and compliance requirements
Commitment
to social responsibility
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