The protection of the environment should concern everyone — from the largest corporations to everyday people.

Without steps toward progress, climate change isn't going anywhere. Organizations around the world have to become more environmentally friendly and sustainable, either by choice or by government policy. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) environmental certification standards seek to put everyone on the same page, setting parameters to keep production from having a negative impact on the natural world.

Specifically, ISO 14001 environmental management system certification ensures that a company has a set of guidelines that inform all of its interactions with the earth, air and sea. With an effective environmental management system that increases compliance and reduces waste, your business will be more socially responsible while improving its performance and operation.

Learn more about ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) certification below and see how Smithers can get your company where it needs to be.

What Is ISO 14001 and ISO 14000 Environmental Management System Certification?

ISO 14000 environmental management system certification is all about how an organization interacts with the environment. The ISO 14000 family of standards focuses on minimizing negative environmental impacts and complying with all related laws and regulations. These standards relate to productions, processes and operations — not products. ISO 14001 environmental management system certification is the most common and widely adopted of the ISO 14000 family, giving businesses a complete set of guidelines for establishing an EMS. The framework it offers is similar to that of ISO 9001, the standard after which it was modeled.

The members of ISO negotiate to form a consensus on the ISO 14001 environmental management system certification standards, as well as all standards developed by ISO. These members are representatives of their countries, including industry leaders, government organizations and non-government organizations.

What ISO 14001 Covers

ISO environmental certification standards are based on the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" (PDCA) model. This cycle involves planning specific goals and processes, doing the tasks involved in those processes, checking the effectiveness of the changes and acting to make progress on the results. Throughout it all, the goal is to meet the goals set by the EMS. The following are what the major sections of ISO 14001 cover:

• Organizational Context — How an EMS fits into a specific organization
• Leadership — The ways leaders and managers show commitment to the EMS and overall environmental responsibility
• Planning — How the organization must be structured for the EMS and how it will meet legal and ethical requirements
• Support — How EMS resources will be managed, especially regarding documentation
• Operational Processes — What the organization needs to follow through with EMS processes and respond to emergencies
• Evaluations — How the performance of the EMS will be measured, monitored and reviewed
• Progress — Ways to make the EMS incrementally better

What Do Companies Need to Achieve ISO Environmental Certification?

Businesses seeking ISO environmental certification must establish an EMS that meets all the requirements set forth by ISO 14001. That means complying with the law while also outlining policies, objectives, processes and other aspects related to environmental management. Appropriate documentation must also be filed. Once the EMS has been in place for some time, the organization will have the necessary data for achieving certification.

ISO itself does not perform ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) certification. The necessary audit and review must be conducted by a third party, like Smithers, for an organization to become certified. Before that, the company must:

• Do its own audit of EMS processes, confirming compliance
• Have management review and assess the EMS
• Correct and document any problems that arise

The third-party auditors will first check that your organization has the appropriate documentation, then conduct the complete audit of your processes, records and more.

What Are The Benefits of ISO 14001? Why Should a Business Implement It?

ISO 14001 environmental management system certification offers a wealth of benefits to businesses, regardless of their industry. It's proof to both employees and stakeholders that the organization is committed to sustainability and environmental impact. Additionally, ISO 14001 can support:

• Improve process efficiencies
• Lower operating costs
• Reduce waste
• Improve health and safety for employees and the surrounding community
• Allow for new marketing campaigns
• Improve brand image and reputation
• Strengthen government relations
• Potentially reduce regulatory oversight
• Support the decision-making process
• Exhibit a commitment to progress
• Better relationships with stakeholders
• Strengthen company culture
• Prevent pollution
• Reduce overall negative environmental impacts

Along with these advantages, any existing EMS activities can be integrated into ISO 14001, meaning companies won't always have to overhaul their practices completely.

Trust Smithers for ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification Auditing

Related Resources: ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) Certification