ISO 14001 2004 is an environmental management standard that defines the environmental policy of an organisation. This standard helps organisations to protect the environment, check pollution, and improve their overall environmental performance. ISO 14001 is a useful tool for an organisation to step up from just maintaining regulatory compliance to an organisation with improved productivity and enhanced competitive advantage.
ISO 14001:2004 is applicable to any business that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system and conform to its stated environmental policy.
ISO 14001:2004 certification
ISO 14001:2004 is the perfect certification for companies seeking an internationally recognised environmental management system. This certification can help companies create a structure for managing environmental operations. ISO 14001:2004 is applicable to all types and sizes of manufacturing and service operations throughout the world.
ISO 14001:2004 specifies environmental requirements that the organisation identifies as those which it can control and influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria. ISO 14001 is flexible - it is as applicable to both the small business and the multinational organisation.
The extent of the application depends on factors like the environmental policy of the organisation, the nature of its activities, products and services, the location and the conditions in which the company functions.
Benefits of adoption
A well-defined environmental management system is essential for an organisation to manage environmental aspects like emission and handling of waste. It is important for the efficient utilisation of resources and energy. Some of the benefits of the ISO 14001 certification are:
Environmental legal liability
Reduction in insurance premiums; waste handling costs; water and air permitting fees
Evaluates system performance through management review and correct management system deficiencies
Certification process
The certification process is a multiple-step process. The certification cycle is described briefly:
Application for certification from client
Offer from BCI
Offer acceptance from client and order confirmation by BCI
Preaudit (optional)
Stage I audit
Certification audit
Issue of certificate on successful completion of certification audit
Surveillance audits at defined interval
Recertification audit
BCI\'s services
The underlying philosophy of this certification rest in the tenet that irrespective of the nature of your business, your organisation must comply with the applicable environmental legislation. BCI audits critically examine your organisation\'s procedures and practices and certify your commitment to comply with these legislations. Organised around a wide range of parameters - air, water, soil pollution etc, the certification establishes the impact of your organisation\'s activities, products and services on the environment. BCI audit team can provide your organisation with a framework for formulating a strategic approach on environmental policies, plans and actions. The ISO 14000 certification can be integrated with other systems like the ISO 9001 and the OHSAS 18001 certifications.
