Environmental Certification Service

ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management Systems

The internationally recognised standard for managing environmental impact — helping organisations reduce risk, cut waste, and build a credible sustainability story.

Overview

The International Standard for Environmental Management

ISO 14001:2015 specifies the requirements that should be in place for an environmental management system within an organisation to enhance its environmental performance.

The activities of an organisation should aim to achieve a balance between economic, society and environmental development, which is essential to ensure a sustainable world for future generations. Among the environmental related sustainability issues include ensuring the availability of natural resources, energy sources, air quality, clean water, sanitation, climate change – all of which need to be protected to ensure the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Organisations, as drivers of growth and economy, have a big part to play in ensuring the protection of the environment. Expectations for sustainable development, transparency and accountability have been taken on board by governments and regulatory authorities, with increasingly stringent legislation, and pressures on organisation to ensure an environment free from pollution, efficient use of resources, proper waste management, etc.

These pressures have pushed organisations to adopt a systematic approach to environmental management. The standard is intended to be used by any organisation that wishes to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the environmental pillar of sustainability.

The Value

Why Implement ISO 14001:2015

Beyond compliance, environmental management done well is a genuine business advantage. Organisations that implement ISO 14001:2015 typically establish a clearer management structure with defined environmental roles and responsibilities, set measurable objectives for improvement rather than vague intentions, and adopt a structured approach to environmental risk assessment. The operational discipline this creates often pays for itself — many organisations see real cost savings through reduced waste, more efficient resource and energy consumption, and lower insurance costs, while also gaining a competitive edge when tendering for business where environmental credentials are increasingly a deciding factor. It also strengthens how the organisation is seen by customers, partners, and regulators — a meaningful advantage as environmental expectations continue to tighten.

System Structure

Main Components

ISO 14001:2015 can be used in whole or in part to systematically improve environmental management. The approach adopted in this standard is based on the concept of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), which promotes continual improvement. It can be applied to an environmental management system and to each of its individual elements.

1

Plan

Establish environmental objectives and processes necessary to deliver results in accordance with the organization's environmental policy.

2

Do

Implement the processes as planned.

3

Check

Monitor and measure processes against the environmental policy, including its commitments, environmental objectives and operating criteria, and report the results.

4

Act

Take actions to continually improve.

Hover over each step to see detailed descriptions of the PDCA cycle

Universal Application

Who Should Be Certified

Any organisation, regardless of size, type and nature, as the standard applies to the environmental aspects of the organisation's activities, products and services that the organisation determines it can either control or influence considering a life cycle perspective.

ENVIRONMENT
Business Value

Benefits of ISO 14001:2015 Certification

An environmental management system delivers measurable advantages across operations, stakeholder relationships, and competitive positioning

Environmental Protection

Preventing or mitigating adverse environmental impacts through systematic management

Risk Mitigation

Mitigating the potential adverse effect of environmental conditions on the organisation

Compliance Support

Assisting the organisation in the fulfilment of compliance obligations

Enhanced Performance

Continuously improving environmental performance through systematic monitoring and improvement

Life Cycle Thinking

Controlling or influencing product design, manufacturing, distribution, consumption and disposal to prevent unintended environmental shifts

Financial & Operational Benefits

Achieving cost savings through environmentally sound alternatives that strengthen market position

Clear Communication

Communicating environmental information effectively to relevant interested parties

Improved Resource Efficiency

Using energy, water, and materials more efficiently, often translating directly into lower operating costs

Stronger Supply Chain Positioning

Environmental credentials are increasingly a factor buyers weigh when choosing suppliers and partners

Greater Stakeholder Trust

Visible, independently verified commitment to environmental responsibility builds customer and stakeholder trust

Consistent Management

A structured system rather than ad-hoc responses to changing environmental regulations

Scope

Key Areas Covered

An environmental management system built around ISO 14001:2015 typically touches several connected areas of practice:

Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
Environmental Auditing
Environmental Labels and Declarations
Environmental Performance Evaluation
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Environmental Communication
Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Monitoring
Global Impact

Contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals

ISO 14001:2015 certification supports 12 key United Nations sustainability objectives related to environmental protection and sustainable development

Hover to pause • Swipe or scroll to navigate

Ready to Get ISO 14001:2015 Certified?

Connect with our certification team to discuss your environmental management system and begin the certification process