Environmental management system according to ISO 14001
Optimization of operational environmental protection
Systematic identification of risks and opportunities
Increased legal certainty and reduced environmental risks
Strengthening of competitiveness
What is environmental management according to ISO 14001?
The standard requirements of ISO 14001 can be applied not only to any company size and industry but also to different geographical and cultural circumstances. A core area of the standard are the so-called "compliance obligations". These are binding obligations that the certified company determines for itself, based on an assessment of opportunities and risks in relation to environmental aspects, environmental targets and voluntary commitments.
The internationally recognized ISO 14001 standard follows the so-called"High Level Structure" (HLS). This basic structure is based on the uniform use of outlines, terminology and definitions. In this way, ISO 14001 certification can be combined with other certified standards in an integrated management system - for example with ISO 9001 (quality management) or ISO 50001 (energy management). The standard ISO 14001:2015 is available from the ISO website.
How does ISO 14001 certification benefit which organizations?
These include:
- Increased customer confidence through reliable environmental management
- Continuous improvement of your environmental performance
- Reliable compliance with legal and regulatory requirements through a systematic approach
- Risk prevention - early identification and minimization of potential hazards
- Cost reduction through proactive, forward-looking action
- Saving resources and energy
- Achieving environmental goals within your company
Currently, around 350,000 companies and organizations around the world have had their environmental management system certified to ISO 14001 (source: ISO Survey 2020).
Important requirements for ISO 14001 certification
In addition, your company must identify the legal and regulatory requirements relating to your activities, products and/or services, translate these "obligations to act" into internal instructions, and regularly monitor compliance.
What are the opportunities and risks associated with ISO 14001?
However, for a transparent risk classification into "high", "medium" or "low", the established assessment criteria must be objective and comprehensible. Based on the opportunities and risks, companies can use ISO 14001 to determine new fields of action in environmental protection, and develop strategies for dealing with advancing climate change.
How does the certification according to ISO 14001 work?
When companies apply for certification according to ISO 14001 at DQS India, they go through a multi-stage certification process. If a certified management system has already been established, the process can be shortened.
In the first step, we jointly define the goals you associate with the certification of your management system according to ISO 14001. On this basis, you will promptly receive a detailed and transparent offer tailored to your individual needs.
The certification audit starts with a system analysis (audit stage 1) and evaluation of your documentation, objectives, results of your management review and internal audits. In doing so, we determine whether your management system is sufficiently developed and ready for certification.
In the next step (system audit stage 2), your auditor assesses the effectiveness of all management system processes on site based on observations, interviews and reviews. The audit result is presented at a final meeting. If necessary, action plans are agreed upon.
On the basis of the certification audit, an evaluation of your environmental management system takes place, which results in a report. If your company has fulfilled all standard requirements, you will receive the ISO 14001 certificate.
To ensure that your company continues to meet all the important criteria of ISO 14001:2015 after the certification audit, we conduct surveillance audits on an annual basis. This ensures our competent support for the continuous improvement of your management system and your business processes.
A certificate according to ISO 14001 is valid for three years. Before expiry, recertification is carried out in good time. This ensures that all requirements of the standard are met on a permanent basis. If all requirements continue to be met, a new certificate is issued.
What does ISO 14001 certification cost?
Why DQS?
- Personal, smooth support from our specialists - regional, national and international
- Individual offers with flexible contract periods without hidden costs
- Accredited certificates with international acceptance