ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Certification
Environmental conservation is an increasingly important challenge to overcome, as we face the consequences of pollution and deforestation propagated during the 20th century. Individuals, organisations, and governments alike have an obligation to contribute to conservation efforts to ensure the longevity of the natural environment for the generations to come. As a business, it is important now, more than ever, to demonstrate commitment to environmental sustainability.
The effective management of environmental issues within your business is a complex and ever-changing landscape, leaving many organisations vulnerable to non-compliance with legal requirements. Without a comprehensive Environmental Management System, not only is your organisation exposed to potential legal action, you risk your reputation as a company. Certifying your Environmental Management System to a recognised standard ensures a reduction of your environmental impact, but due to the process of identifying and minimising operational inefficiencies, it also reduces the cost of unnecessary resource consumption, saving you money.
Like other International Management Systems, ISO 14001 is based on the well known and widely utilised Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) process.
Used by companies worldwide to facilitate continual improvement, the PDCA is a circular model - there is no end to the process - hence the term ‘continual improvement’. It can be implemented to the overarching Management System and to each of its individual items and is facilitated in the following manner within ISO 14001:
PLAN: the organisation identifies their current and potential environmental impact, and sets processes and objectives necessary to deliver improved results.
DO: implement processes, allocate resources and communicate objectives as per plan, ensuring training and awareness is provided.
CHECK: monitor and review effectiveness of plan via comparison to set environmental management objectives.
ACT: take actions to ensure continual improvement of intended environmental outcomes.
What does ISO Certification under ISO 14001 mean for my organisation?
ISO Certification under ISO 14001 means that you’ll be one of over three hundred thousand organisations worldwide operating economically under an international Environmental Management Framework. ISO 14001 introduces a structure which allows your organisation to identify and control operational impacts on the environment, and can benefit your organisation in many aspects including:
Minimising pollution by improving the efficiency of waste and energy management
Recognition of your company’s commitment to Environmental Sustainability, not just nationally but world-wide.
Improving your organisation’s image within the local community and demonstrating your commitment to Environmental Sustainability to potential clients.
The reduction of operational costs as insurance premiums, waste handling, resource consumption and other related fees are minimised.
Minimising the risk of legislative non-compliance, and the costs related to notices issued by regulatory bodies, temporary shutdown and prosecution.
Improved identification and management of current and future environmental risks.
Eligibility for the Australian Government’s Emissions Reduction Fund