Environmental Management Standard ISO 14001:2004

Launched in 1996, ISO14001 is the internationally recognised Environmental Management Standard and it sets out the requirements of an Environmental Management System. Currently, it is the only one of the 14000 series that can be certified by an external auditor.

Whereas ISO14004 sets out the various elements of what an Environmental Management System must cover – and how they are implemented – ISO14001 specifies the generic requirements of such a system.  In order to obtain ISO14001:2004 certification, a business must to be able to demonstrate and have evidence that its EMS conforms to the Standard and operates effectively.

ISO14001:2004 is a useful business tool for organisations of all sizes and from all operating sectors as it is not prescriptive in its approach - i.e. it does not set targets on environmental performance that businesses need to achieve in order to gain certification.

The two main requirements of the Standard are that businesses:

• comply with current legislation and regulations governing environmental issues that are relevant to their operation
• commit to a process of continuous improvement in their environmental performance