ISO 14001 is the international standard which identifies requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). It arrange for a framework that an organization can follow, instead of establishing environmental performance requirements. ISO 14001:2015 was published 15 September 2015 and is the replacement for ISO 14001:2004.
Understanding the organization and its context
This new concept relates to the factors and conditions affecting organizational operation e.g. regulation, governance and environmental conditions.
Environmental conditions are the elements of the atmosphere which can be affected by the organization (air quality, water quality, land use, etc.), or those which can disturb the organization (climate change, existing land contamination, etc.).
Understanding the requirements and beliefs of interested parties
Consideration should be given to who the interested parties might be and what their relevant interests might be, e.g. employees, customers, neighbors, board members, shareholders, regulators, competitors, etc. ISO 14001:2015 is relevant to all industry, regardless of size, locations, sectors, and organizations.
The requirements and expectations of interested parties can convert compliance obligations.
Leadership and commitment
Top management of the organization are now mandatory to validate leadership and commitment to the EMS in a number of specified ways.
What areas does ISO 14001:2015 cover?
At the highest level, ISO 14001:2015 covers the following areas with respect to environmental management systems: