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What is ISO 14001?
An internationally recognised standard, providing organisations with the means to run an effective Environmental Management System (EMS).
Every organisation, of whatever type or size, through its very existence, creates an impact on the environment. ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard that provides any organisation with the means to control and reduce that impact by setting up and operating an Environmental Management System (often referred to as EMS).
A business with an Environmental Management System in place can become certified under the ISO 14001 standard, formally evidencing the organisation’s level of environmental awareness and social responsibility and providing a range of other potential benefits.
How Can ISO 14001 – the Environmental Management Standard — Benefit An Organisation?
By demonstrating a clear commitment to the environment, an organisation can realise tangible benefits and compete effectively in its market place.
Setting up and operating an Environmental Management System provides an organisation with an effective response to the impact that it would otherwise have on the environment, offering new marketing and sales opportunities, cost savings potential and an enhanced business reputation.
If an organisation is selling goods or services business to business, it may find that, unless it has an effective Environmental Management System in place, it will no longer be considered as a supplier – or be viewed less favourably – by a potential public or private sector customer.
Equally, many individual consumers are interested in green issues, environmentally conscious and becoming increasingly attracted to the idea of buying from like minded business organisations.
By demonstrating a clear commitment to the environment, an organisation is more likely to inspire confidence, retain its existing customer base, attract new business opportunities and increase sales. It will also have the means to run reinvigorated marketing campaigns and generally remain ahead of competitors.
Customers and lenders are becoming ever more eager to deal with businesses that can show a high level of environmental responsibility.
Operating to ISO 14001 standards can improve the way in which a business works, enabling it to reduce costs, improve performance, ensure compliance with legislation and regulations and boost morale.
Most employees are keen to take part in a programme aimed at improving the environmental effectiveness of their organisation and are excited about the role that they can play. Operating an Environmental Management System engages the enthusiasm of everyone involved in the business – including stakeholders - creating a more dynamic culture.
What If An Organisation is Already ISO 9001:2000 Certified? Where Does ISO 14001 Fit In?
Duplication of effort can be avoided in operating to both standards.
If an organisation has already achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification, it will already have the type of systems in place that will be able to accommodate many of the requirements relevant to an Environmental Management System, so administrative duplication can be avoided wherever possible and the organisation will already have the foundations in place for achieving ISO 14001.
What Does ISO 14001 Certification By a UKAS Accredited Body Mean?
Independent certification under ISO 14001 places beyond doubt an organisation’s high level of environmental awareness and social responsibility and proves that the business is operating an effective Environmental Management System (EMS).
In the May 2008 publication — Delivering Confidence — issued by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment in association with Defra and the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), it was reported that an increasing number of private and public sector organisations not only require their suppliers to operate an effective Environmental Management System but also insist on organisations having UKAS accredited certification under ISO 14001.
If an organisation wishes to prove to the world that it is running an effective Environment Management System to the ISO 14001 standard, it should always ensure that its System is audited by an independent certification body, accredited by UKAS. A business that has a Scheme certified by a UKAS accredited body can provide confidence to customers and proudly display the famous UKAS crown and tick logo (shown right).
How Can Touchstone Renard Help An Organisation Achieve ISO 14001 Certification?
We can help an organisation to put in place an effective and documented Environmental management System (EMS) and arrange an audit and certification to the ISO 14001 standard by an independent UKAS accredited body.
At Touchstone Renard, we have a large number of consultants available who have years of experience in helping all types of organisations to set up and document an effective Environmental Management System to the ISO 14001 standard. We can then help clients to arrange independent auditing and certification under the ISO 14001 standard to enable them to display the UKAS crown and tick logo.
We believe that the work carried out by us to help an organisation to set up and document a Scheme to achieve ISO 14001 should be kept completely separate from the audit and certification process which should be carried out by an independent, UKAS accredited, certification body.
If an organisation selects us to help them to set up an Environmental Management System:
- First of all, we have a discussion to learn more about the size and type of the organisation and the benefits that the business could realise from ISO 14001 certification, with or without any other standards, such as ISO 9001:2000.
- We then undertake a process to assess the impact of the organisation on the environment and identify ways in which that impact can be reduced and managed by amending certain policies and procedures.
- Our recommendations will include changes that could benefit the business by increasing performance and reducing costs and we seek to engage the enthusiasm of an organisation’s people with minimum disruption.
- We prepare the relevant documentation and carry out any necessary awareness presentations or training.
- The services that Touchstone Renard provides will depend on the precise circumstances and needs of an organisation and we will always tailor the process to suit our client.
- If an organisation is interested in obtaining ISO 14001 alone or as part of an integrated management system with other standards, we can offer a variety of packages.
- We can also help an organisation to maintain any standard with a post-certification programme or ad hoc help as and when required. We will always respond if an organisation suddenly calls us for help when an audit is due!
- We take a very flexible approach in terms of the services we provide but we will always let our clients know where they stand from the outset in terms of our fees and timescales.
If you would like to have a discussion about the possibility of introducing or maintaining an Environmental Management System and / or achieving ISO 14001 certification, please contact Phil Austin without any obligation.
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- Telephone +44 (0)20 7866 8123.