The
ISO 14001 standard family is an environmental management system standard organized to manage environmental issues within an organization. It does not assure environmental performance improvement. The intention of
ISO 14001 is to provide a framework for a holistic, strategic approach to the organization's environmental policy, plans and actions.
An Environmental Management System meeting the requirements of ISO 14001 is a management tool enabling an organization of any size or type to:
- identify and control the environmental impact of its activities, products or services, and to
- improve its environmental performance continually, and to
- implement a systematic approach to setting environmental objectives and targets, to achieving these and to demonstrating that they have been achieved.
| Sub-Category |
Private Sector
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| Standard for |
All products
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| Focus |
Environmental management systems (EMS)
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| Structure |
ISO 14001 does not specify levels of environmental performance. Because ISO 14001 does not lay down levels of environmental performance, the standard can be implemented by a wide variety of organizations, whatever their current level of environmental maturity. However, a commitment to compliance with applicable environmental legislation and regulations is required, along with a commitment to continual improvement – for which the EMS provides the framework.
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| Conformity Requirements |
|
| Auditing System |
Self-declaration or third-party auditing by ISO -accredited certifying bodies.
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| Geographic Focus |
International
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| Website |
http://www.iso.org/
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