ISO 14001:2004 [Environmental Management System]

Compliance with ISO 14000 certification series highlights adherence with environmental management standards developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO one of the world's principal voluntary standards development bodies. The ISO 14000 certification standards are designed to provide an internationally recognized framework for environmental management, measurement, evaluation and auditing.

ISO 14001:2004 standard is divided into four clauses. Clause 1 to 3 is general clause which is related to Scope, Normative and Terms and Definitions. Clause 4 (Environmental Management System Requirements) is subdivided into 06 sub clauses General Requirement, Environmental policy, Planning, Implementation and Operation, Checking and Management Review. The system focuses on continual improvement.

The advantages of being ISO 14001:2004 compliance

  • Process improvement.

  • Environmental cost reduction.

  • Better relationships with regulators.

  • Product improvement.

  • Clarity of responsibility and authority.

  • Marketing advantages.

  • Better control of liabilities.

  • Educed regulatory burden.

  • Emonstration of responsible management.

  • Protection of company image and name.



Requirement of ISO 14001:2004

  • Establish an appropriate environmental policy.

  • Identify the environmental aspects arising from the organizations past, existing or planned activities, products and services, in order to determine the environmental impacts of significance.

  • Identify applicable legal requirements and other requirements, to which the organization subscribes.

  • Identify priorities and set appropriate environmental objectives and targets.

  • Establish a structure and a programme(s) to implement the policy and achieve objectives and meet targets.

  • Facilitate planning, control, monitoring, preventive and corrective actions, auditing and review activities to ensure both that the policy is complied with and that the environmental management system remains appropriate.

  • Be capable of adapting to changing circumstances.