ISO 14001 Certification
Environmental management systems
ISO 14001 provides the framework through which an organisation identifies, controls and improves its environmental impact while meeting its applicable compliance obligations. Certification demonstrates a verifiable commitment to environmental protection.
- Current edition
- ISO 14001:2015
- Intended for
- Organisations in any sector with an environmental impact, especially manufacturing, construction, energy, logistics and waste management
- Certificate validity
- 3 years, with annual surveillance audits
- Integrates with
- ISO 9001 · ISO 45001 · ISO 50001
What is ISO 14001
ISO 14001:2015 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS) that an organisation can use to enhance its environmental performance. The standard requires the identification of the environmental aspects of activities, products and services, the determination of those that are significant, the identification of compliance obligations and the setting of environmental objectives, from a life cycle perspective.
The system is built on the same high level structure (Annex SL) as ISO 9001 and ISO 45001, which allows it to be integrated into a single management system. Risk-based thinking, management leadership and the operational control of processes with an environmental impact, including emergency preparedness, are the core elements of the standard.
ISO 14001 certification is increasingly requested by customers, investors and contracting authorities, in the context of sustainability reporting requirements and environmental criteria in public procurement.
- Manufacturing companies with significant emissions, waste or resource consumption
- Construction and infrastructure firms, where environmental criteria appear in tender specifications
- Operators in energy, transport, logistics and waste management
- Suppliers of multinational companies with sustainability requirements in the supply chain
- Organisations that want a systematic framework for compliance with environmental legislation
Benefits of ISO 14001 certification
Controlled legal compliance
Environmental obligations are identified, monitored and evaluated periodically, reducing the risk of penalties.
Lower costs
Optimised use of energy, water and raw materials, and less waste.
Access to customers and financing
Meeting the environmental criteria of tenders, supplier audits and ESG assessments.
Managed environmental risks
Emergency preparedness and operational control of activities with a significant impact.
Reputation and trust
An independently verified environmental commitment that can be communicated to customers, the community and authorities.
Integration with other systems
Common structure with ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 for an integrated quality-environment-OH&S system.
Main requirements of the standard
The standard follows the high level structure (Annex SL) common to ISO management system standards, with its requirements set out in clauses 4 to 10.
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Clause 4
Context of the organisation
Relevant environmental conditions, interested parties and their requirements, the scope of the environmental management system.
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Clause 5
Leadership
Management commitment, the environmental policy and responsibilities for environmental performance.
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Clause 6
Planning
Environmental aspects and associated impacts, compliance obligations, risks and opportunities, environmental objectives and planning of actions.
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Clause 7
Support
Resources, competence, awareness, internal and external communication, documented information.
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Clause 8
Operation
Operational control of processes with an environmental impact, including from a life cycle perspective, and emergency preparedness and response.
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Clause 9
Performance evaluation
Monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation, evaluation of compliance, internal audit and management review.
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Clause 10
Improvement
Nonconformity and corrective action, continual improvement of environmental performance.
Amendment 1:2024 on climate change
Clauses 4.1 and 4.2 include the requirement to determine whether climate change is a relevant issue and to consider the requirements of interested parties related to it.
Life cycle perspective
The 2015 edition requires environmental aspects to be evaluated taking into account the life cycle stages that the organisation can control or influence, from procurement to end-of-life treatment.
The Certification Process
A clear and transparent process, from application to certificate issuance.
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01
Application and quotation
Send us your organisation's details and the standard you are aiming for. We review your application and prepare a tailored quotation, including the audit duration and plan.
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02
Stage 1 audit
We review your management system documentation and assess how ready your organisation is for the certification audit.
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03
Stage 2 audit
The on-site audit checks that the system is implemented and effective against the requirements of the standard.
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04
Decision and certificate
The certification committee reviews the audit report and issues the certificate, valid for 3 years.
Annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit at the end of the three-year cycle keep your certificate valid without interruption.
Certification RegulationsFrequently asked questions about ISO 14001
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Contact usWhat is the difference between ISO 14001 and the environmental permit?
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Integrated certification
Standards that share the same structure can be implemented as one integrated system and audited together in a single combined audit, reducing total audit time.
Request a quote for ISO 14001 certification
Tell us a little about your organisation and the standard you are aiming for. We will come back to you with a quotation and a proposed audit schedule as soon as possible.
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- Working Hours
- L-V: 09:00 - 18:00