ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is an international standard that ensures specific requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). ISO 14001 provides a framework that companies can follow to ensure compliance with environmental performance requirements. To support organizations in demonstrating their compliance with this standard, Manas Consultancy Services ISO 14001:2015 Certification along with a range of training courses. Through our ISO certification and courses, organizations can set up, improve, or maintain an environmental management system to conform to its established environmental policy and requirements.

ISO 14001:2004 VS 14001:2015

There have been numerous changes to ISO 14001 throughout the years. To make all the ISO standards the same way, the ISO 14001:2015 includes incorporating a high-level structure, mandatory definitions, and using common standard requirements and clauses. There are 10 significant changes in the 14001:2015 that can be highlighted, they are:

1. Expansion in Environmental Management Systems coverage and scope. 
2. Necessary interactions with external parties. 
3. New requirements for leadership engagement 
4. Expanded Legal compliance requirements
5. Mandatory risk-based planning and controls. 
6. New documentations required
7. Expanded Operations control requirements 
8. Changes in competence and awareness requirements 
9. Impacts on the internal audit programs 
10. Increased certification costs. 

Elements of ISO 14001:2015

ISO 14001:2015 covers the following elements concerning environmental management systems. 

1. Context of the organization 
2. Leadership 
3. Planning
4. Support
5. Operation
6. Performance Evaluation
7. Improvement 

Benefits of ISO 14001 Certification

Considering the current environmental concerns, each country has committed to limiting or resolving certain environmental issues. In such a scenario, EMS certification or ISO 14001 can help organizations in the following ways:

1. Reduces waste handling cost 
2. Reduces environmental liability risks
3. Increases profitability by saving energy & better utilization of natural resources. 
4. Enhances organization branding 
5. Competitive advantage in supply chain design 
6. Increase customer trust
7. Process through PDCA 
8. Helps businesses ensure better compliance & regulatory requirements. 

Cost of ISO 14001

The cost for ISO 14001:2015 varies depending on the size, location, and complexity of the operation, processes, and inter-relevance. For a quotation please contact us via an email at [email protected] or call us at +91 9819446730.

Apply For ISO 14001

If you plan to apply for an ISO certification, you can contact us via email at [email protected] or call us at +91 9819446730.

Procedure of ISO 14001

1. Assessment 

Once you have contacted us, provided us with your business details, and agreed to our quotation of the complete application process, we will begin with an assessment. In the assessment, we will review the Environmental Management System and perform a GAP analysis to determine the changes that need to be made to the existing Environmental Management System. 

2. Stage 1 Audit 

Also known as the documentation audit, the audit consists of a review of all the documents that have been submitted by you. The audit confirms that the documentation provided meets all the requirements of the ISO 14001. By the end of the audit, we will identify any nonconformities that may be present in the documentation. Inconsistencies in the documentation can be problematic and result in the certification being denied. The mandatory documents and records required are: 

1. Scope of the EMS (clause 4.3)
2. Environmental Policy (clause 5.2)
3. Risk and Opportunities to be Addressed and Processes Needed (clause 6.1.1)
4. Criteria for Evaluation of Significant Environmental Aspects (clause 6.1.2)
5. Environmental Aspects with Associated Environmental Impacts (clause 6.1.2)
6. Significant Environmental Aspects (clause 6.1.2)
7. Compliance Obligations Document (clause 6.1.3)
8. Environmental Objectives and Plans for Achieving Them (clause 6.2)
9. Operational Control (clause 8.1)
10. Emergency Preparedness and Response (clause 8.2)
11. Records of Training, Skills, Experience, and Qualifications (clause 7.2)
12. Evidence of Communication (clause 7.4)
13. Monitoring and Measurement Results (clause 9.1.1)
14. Evidence of the Compliance Evaluation Result(s) (clause 9.1.2)
15. Internal Audit Program (clause 9.2)
16. Results of Internal Audits (clause 9.2)
17. Results of the Management Review (clause 9.3)
18. Results of Corrective Actions (clause 10.2)

3. Stage 2 Audit 

In this stage, the certification auditors will visit you and audit your EMS processes. This audit ensures that the organization meets the requirements of ISO 14001 standard and the requirements you have defined within your management system. The audit will analyze every process and compare the planned process to the actual process. This is done by interviewing employees, observing activities, and reviewing the records and documentation provided to us. 

4. Certification 

Once the auditors confirm that everything is occurring as planned and you meet all the requirements of ISO 14001 without any nonconformities in the process, they will issue the certificate. 

5. Continual Assessment 

A surveillance visit is conducted every year over a 3 year period to monitor and evaluate the Environmental Management System. 

6. Recertification

Recertification of your management system is required every 3 years after the initial certification. The process covers a comprehensive review of the whole system and may include an additional stage 1 review where significant problems have been encountered during the course of the certification cycle.  

Integrating ISO 9001 & 14001

Integrating management system standards reduces confusion and increases focus. Elements of ISO 9001 can be enhanced with the corresponding components of ISO 14001. The combined standards might include responsibilities such as:

1. Drafting a policy statement and quantifiable objectives. 
2. Setting up organizational charts and job descriptions 
3. Providing adequate resources
4. Managing documentation for ISO 9001 & 14001 in a single document control system. 
5. Appointing a management representative and coordinators for QEMS (Quality and Environmental Management System)

To adequately integrate components of ISO 14001 and 9001, the planning process must also consider environmental impacts. The inspection and test systems also need to be modified to cover environmental conformance. The organization must also incorporate environmental management elements into the internal audit programs and training sessions and meet the environmental expectations set by the customers and the government. 

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