Certification and implementation of ISO 14001 Standard – Environmental Management System (EMS) 

ISO 14001 is the most widely recognized international standard for environmental management systems. It provides a framework through which an organization can deliver environmental impact improvement in line with its environmental policy commitments. 

The ISO 14001 standard establishes guidelines to proactively achieve the following objectives: 

• Recognize and understand the environmental aspects related to activities, products and services, as well as the impacts they generate. 
• Acquire knowledge on how to manage the relevant aspects, implement the necessary controls and establish clear goals to improve environmental performance. 

• Establish the corresponding environmental policy and objectives. 
• Comply with legal and applicable requirements, as well as other stakeholder obligations, and perform periodic compliance checks. 
• Continually progress the management system to enhance its positive environmental impact. 

The ISO 14001 standard is designed to be compatible and integrable with other management systems, including the Quality Management System, ISO 9001. 

Any organization, regardless of its size, sector or geographical location, can be certified to ISO 14001. Certification demonstrates the organization’s commitment to improving its environmental performance and demonstrating its commitment to environmental protection and can provide significant benefits in terms of corporate image, competitiveness and business relationships. 

The main benefits of the Environmental Management System are to facilitate the reduction of pollution, waste generation and unwanted discharges to the environment. This includes product-related impacts, taking into account a life-cycle perspective; improving your resource management, including energy use, which can also mean a reduction in the cost of running your business; and environmental legal compliance and corporate requirements.

Obtaining ISO 14001 certification involves following a structured and well-defined process. The different phases involved in this process are described below: 

Initial understanding and assessment: in this stage, the organization must understand the requirements of ISO 14001 and assess its current situation in terms of environmental management. A comprehensive review of the company’s activities, products and services, as well as the associated environmental aspects and impacts generated, is carried out. In addition, the areas of improvement needed to comply with the required standards are identified. 

Consulting: Consulting consists of seeking support and guidance from experts in environmental management systems to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the standard. During this phase, the specialist consultant will work closely with the organization, providing technical expertise, customized advice and additional resources to facilitate the company’s adaptation to the requirements of ISO 14001. The consultancy can range from initial assessment and design of the environmental management system to training of staff, preparation for audits and resolution of any challenges that arise in the process. 

Planning and design of the environmental management system: Once the initial situation has been assessed, the environmental management system is planned and designed. In this phase, clear environmental objectives are established and the policies and procedures needed to achieve them are defined. Responsibilities are determined and the necessary resources are allocated to implement the environmental management system effectively. 

Implementation and operation: In this stage, the environmental management system is implemented as planned. Roles and responsibilities are communicated to all levels of the organization, the necessary training is carried out and the required operational controls are established to ensure compliance with the established environmental objectives and goals. 

Verification and review: The organization’s environmental performance is continuously and systematically monitored. This involves internal audits and periodic reviews to assess compliance with ISO 14001 requirements and identify areas for improvement. In addition, compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements is verified. 

Certification and maintenance: Once compliance with all ISO 14001 requirements has been demonstrated, the organization can apply for a certification audit by a recognized certification body. If this audit is successfully passed, ISO 14001 certification is granted. However, the process does not end here. The organization must maintain and continually improve its environmental management system to ensure renewal of certification in periodic follow-up audits. 

It is essential to stress the importance of conducting periodic internal audits as part of the process of obtaining ISO 14001 certification. These audits allow an objective evaluation of the performance of the implemented environmental management system, identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with the established requirements. To carry out these audits effectively, it is advisable to have trained and experienced personnel in the field, or even seek the advice of a consulting firm specializing in environmental management systems. The participation of external experts can provide an unbiased view and specialized knowledge, helping the organization to identify possible gaps and apply best practices to achieve a successful certification. 

ISO 14001 focuses specifically on an organization’s environmental management system. However, it is possible and beneficial to integrate it with other standards and norms to achieve more efficient and consistent management across multiple aspects of the organization. Below are some ways to integrate ISO 14001 with other standards: 

The Environmental System based on the UNE-EN ISO 14001 standard is transversally applicable, all sectors of economic and business activity are susceptible to implementation and certification.