Requirements for an environmental management system are defined by the international standard ISO 14001: 2015. The aim of DIN EN ISO 14001 is a continuous improvement of environmental performance and a contribution to compliance with environmental law by companies.

Unless a customer requirement requires the implementation of ISO 14001, an image gain or marketing effect is often associated with environmental management.
Businesses in all sectors use an environmental management system to:

• Conformity assurance of legal obligations
• continuous improvement of environmental performance
• Reduce costs by saving resources and resources
• Reduction of environmental risks
• Improvement of the image
• Motivation of the employees

ISO 14001, unlike EMAS, does not specify any explicit requirements for environmental performance. Thus, two organizations that perform activities in a similar scope, but different in environmental performance, can both meet the requirements of ISO 14001.

 
Essentially, ISO 14001: 2015 describes requirements for preparing a management system:

• the commitment of top management to the compliant implementation of the management system
• the definition and implementation of environmental objectives
• the management of resources and responsibilities
• the identification and assessment of environmental aspects, opportunities and risks
• the documentation structure of the company
• the training and information of employees and internal audits at fixed intervals
• the measurement and analysis of environmental performance as well
• the improvement and maintenance of the system

 

The implementation of an EMS system into your company is done through usally:

• Illustration of the actual state of your process structure
• Determination of relevant process stopping points according to the requirements of the standard
• Integration of external requirements, for example (incident, - crisis management)
• Structure of the required processes (illustration of your policy and goals, qualifications of your managers, process manuals, measuring points, audit programs, performance evaluation, handling of deviations, risk management)
• Training your employees
• Test runs with fault maneuvers, troubleshooting, emergency exercises and test audits
• Selection of suitable certification bodies
• Support in the practical management activity, e.g. internal audits, processing of an audit report, document control, management review

 

Preparation of the stage 1 audit

Level 1 audit objectives include:

• documented information of the management system, including static information on scope, policies, objectives, interested parties
• internal communication, external communication
• Processes Descriptions
• Levels of controls used (especially for multi-site organizations)
• Applicable legal and regulatory requirements
• Checking the suitability of the organization's goals
• Assessment of internal audits and management reviews
• Site-specific conditions of the organization
• Illustration of the responsible persons and their competence to prepare for level 2
• Reviewing the organization's understanding of the requirements of the standard,
• Identification of key services, environmental aspects, processes, goals of the management system, employee involvement

 Level 1 assessment must ensure that Stage 2 objectives can be met.

Preparation for the stage 2 audit.
The purpose of the Level 2 Assessment is to assess the effectiveness and effectiveness of the organization's management system. The assessment will check conformity to the:

• Performance in monitoring, reporting and target achievement.
• Regulatory compliance audit, action requiring review
• Operational control
• Participation and knowledge of the workforce
• Internal Audits and Management Review
• Management responsibility.

 For multi-site organizations, the level 2 assessment is based on random sampling according to the IAF 71 SD 6 013 | Guideline Chapter 5.2.3 aligned
 With successful certification the implementation is finished.

 

With good preparation, an initial certification procedure can be completed within a few months. There is a minimum duration between implementation and level 1, as well as between level 1 and level 2 audits.
Between the implementation of the management system and the first level 1 assessment, the evidence of the organization's effective implementation of the system must be mapped for at least three months. For multi-site organizations, the Level 1 Assessment is targeted at the central organization (see IAF 71 SD 6 013 | Revision: 1.1 | 20 Aug 2015).

Usually there should be a minimum of one month between Level 1 and Level 2 assessments. If more than three months and less than six months pass between Level 1 and Level 2, Level 1 should be repeated. At the end of six months, the level 1 is repeated.

A service provider who advises, trains, or otherwise is involved with a company may not certify. We therefore assist you in selecting an accredited certification body.

In addition to DIN EN ISO 14001, there are the following supporting standards:

• DIN EN ISO 14004 Environmental Management Systems General Guide on Principles, Systems and Auxiliary Instruments,
• DIN EN ISO 14015 Environmental management Environmental assessment of sites and organizations
• DIN EN ISO 14020 Environmental labeling and declarations
• DIN EN ISO 14031 Environmental Management Environmental Performance Assessment Guidelines
• DIN EN ISO 14040 Environmental Management Life Cycle Assessment Principles and general requirements
• DIN EN ISO 14051 Environmental Management Material Flow Cost Accounting General Conditions
• DIN EN ISO 14064 Environmental management Measurement, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions