What are the Benefits of ISO 14001 & what its Structure looks like?

It can be tough to manage your environmental responsibilities, however, for the sake of your business,you need to prove to your customers that your company iscommitted to the environment. In this article, we will talk aboutthe structure and benefits of ISO 14001 standard.

ISO 14001 defines an effective environmental management system (EMS), and it is an ternational standard. Any organization that desires to establish an environmental policy to demonstrate their concern for the environment needs to implementISO 14001. To set up, improve, and maintain an EMS, this standard should be used. Regardless of the industry,sector, location, orsize, this standard is relevant to all organizations.

To help companies becomeenvironmentally sensitive, the development of the international standard adapts with the growth of public awareness and economy. This standard will allow the future generations to have access to the resources that your companyis using now, an important concept for improving your business. ISO 140001allows for more financial benefit and makes a positive impact on long term sustainability.

ISO 14001 is not a long or complex standard like other well-known standards. To manage environmental responsibilities, ISO 14001 certification provides tools for a wide range of industries andis suitable for large and small organizations.This standardwill help to improve your environment and management system.

To create an efficient EMS, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed this standard ISO 14001 in 2004.The third-party auditors evaluate the evidence and then decide whether the organization deserves the certification or not.

The principles that ISO 14001 Standard insists on–

• Improvement,
• Performance evaluation,
• Operation,
• Support,
• Planning,

The goals of ISO 14001 are–

• Demonstrate what an organization has achieved,
• Setting up organizational objectives,
• Achieving the organization’s objectives and so on.

The revision of ISO 14001:2015:

ISO 14001:2004 has been revised to ISO 14001:2015.The major changes of ISO 14001 are –

• Increasing certification costs,
• Improvement of the internal audit program,
• Awareness among employees,
• Expanded requirement of operational control,
• The requirements of new documentation,
• Controls and planning,
• Expanding the requirement of legal issues,
• Interactions with external parties.

The procedure of getting ISO 14001 certification:

• Review the existing quality management system,
• Participate in training and fulfill all requirements,
• Consult with a third party consultant and auditor togain advice or guidance,
• Certify to ISO 14001.

Benefits of ISO 14001:

ISO 14001 certification is based on the concept of an EMS, which has multiple benefits for an organization. Many organizations that perform environment-friendly practices get many benefits, such as patients with more security, patients and employees with more safety, and employees with a positive view of their company. When you have ISO 14001 certification, it automaticallyhelps to gain  ISO 45001 certification. The goal of every business is to improve the effectiveness of environmental efforts. For the long term sustainability, only individuals are not responsible. As a responsible establishment, leaders should make the environment a priority.

These are listed below:

• Managing consistency in the environment,
• Improving the overall standard of the environment,
• Increase customer trust,
• Meeting with legal sites,
• Increasing new opportunities in business,
• Gain a competitive advantage in the market,
• Provide assurance of the products and services,
• Dcrease service and product costs,
• Reduce wastage,
• Improve the effectiveness of resources,
• Reduce disposal fees,
• Reduce energy costs.

ISO 14001 certification  assesses  different aspects of an organization. These are listed below:

• General requirements,
• Environmental policy,
• Assessment of environmental aspects,
• Reviewing of legal and other documents,
• Fulfilling the organization’s programs, targets and objectives,
• Fulfilling responsibility,
• Improve awareness among employees,
• Improve communication between customers and employees.

Bottom Line:

When it comes to sustainable development and economic success of the organization, ISO 14001 is a good and effective standard. By maintaining this standard you can reduce  waste and chemical treatments in your organization. This standard will help to minimize the serious impact on the environment that your organization will make.