BENEFITS OF ISO 14001 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
There are many reasons why an organization should take a strategic approach to improving its environmental performance. Users of the ISO 14001 standard have reported that implementing and getting ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Certification helps:
- Compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements that are environmentally oriented
- Increase in leadership involvement and engagement of employees
- Improve company reputation and the confidence of stakeholders.
- Achieve strategic business goals
- Improved efficiencies and reduced costs give a competitive and financial advantage
- Improved performance (environmental) of suppliers and other stakeholders.
ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION PROCESS
The ISO 14001 Certification process typically involves the following stages:
- Gap Analysis: An ISO 14001 consultant can assist you with identifying the gap in your existing environmental management system against ISO 14001 requirements.
- Documentation Process: Creation of a well-developed documentation system that includes your environmental policy, procedures, and environmental objectives that meet the ISO 14001 standard.
- Implementation: Make necessary changes throughout your organization to implement the procedures that are developed based on the ISO 14001 standard
- Internal Audit: It’s a mandatory procedure to conduct periodical internal audits. The purpose of this internal assessment is to ensure compliance with ISO 14001 requirements.
- Management Review: The top management of your organization is required to periodically review the ISO 14001 Environment Management System you have developed. This is to ensure its effectiveness and suitability.
- Corrective and Preventive Actions: Any non-conformities or areas for improvement identified during the internal audits need to be addressed with corrective and preventive actions. (CAPA)
- Certification Audit: The next step is to hire a certification body or registrar to conduct an external audit. The function of this third-party auditor is to determine your compliance with ISO 14001 standards.
- Surveillance Audits: Yearly follow-up audits are required by the certification body to ensure that the system is working, and your organization remains compliant with the ISO 14001 standard.
- Recertification: ISO 14001 Certification is valid for 3 years. A recertification audit by the certification body (registrar) is required to renew your certification.
COST OF ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION
The cost of obtaining ISO 14001 Certification can vary depending on factors such as the size of the organization, geographical location, nature of the industry, the certification body chosen, and the level of existing ISO 14001 environmental management system. It is important to find the right ISO 14001 consultant to implement the system and get it audited by a Certification body.
ISO 14001 CONSULTANTS
Several consulting firms offer ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Consultation and Certification. When selecting a consultant, it is essential to find the right ISO 14001 consultant who can guide you through the certification process effectively and efficiently. Important things to consider are their experience, reputation, location of the consultant or certification body, and other fees associated with ISO 14001 consultation and certification.
INTEGRATING ISO 14001 AND ISO 9001
Integrating ISO 14001 Environmental Management System with other quality management systems standards like ISO 9001 can save you money time and other resources:
Process Integration: Integrating the process with other management systems can lead to streamlined processes such as document control, internal audits, and management reviews.
Cost: The cost of integrating multiple management systems is considerably less than the cost of implementing different stand-alone standards and certifying them separately.
Efficiency: Functional collaboration and alignment of objectives across departments can
Improve the efficiency of an organization.
FREE ISO 14001 CONSULTATION: Liberty Management Group (LMG) offers a free, onsite ISO 14001 consultation. Whether you are just starting on building an environmental management system from scratch or need to evaluate your existing system for ISO 14001 certification, our experienced consultants will be able to give advice and guide you through the entire process of implementation and certification of ISO 14001.
After the initial onsite visit, we will provide you with an estimate of the cost and time frame of the ISO 14001 implementation and certification process. No contract or commitment is required unless LMG is selected to provide any further service.
