ISO 14001:2015 published

ISO 14001, the environmental management systems standard, is now available.

The standard has undergone its first revision for 10 years and was published on 15 September 2015.

The changes to the standard include:

• A high level structure (HLS) - featuring terms, definitions, headings and text common to all management system standards - allowing easier integration when implementing multiple management systems
• New opportunities for top management to place environmental management into core business processes and objectives
• A refocus on the risks the organization faces (for example, the price volatility of raw materials), as well as the opportunities these risks present (greater resource efficiency)
• New thinking on the context of the organization, helping them understand their setting and environmental impacts and also the impact that the environment has on them (as, for example, a consequence of climate change)

Nigel Leehane (CRA Europe/GHD managaing director and one the UK's technical experts in the ISO working group, quoted in the Environmental Analyst, says that ISO 14001 "requires organizations to develop an enhanced toolset to improve and sustain performance, including better strategic planning, integrated management, focused communication and, above all, genuine leadership commitment and drive.”

According to Alexander Woods, frp, the IRCA (The International Register of Certificated Auditors): “The revised standard introduces changes that will help integrate environmental management systems in businesses strategic and operational processes. An EMS will no longer be considered as a “bolt-on” to business as usual, but as an integral part of the way in which an organization operates.”

The launch event for ISO 14001 will take place on the 6 October 2015.