Global Standards Assurance (GSA)
Enhancing Environmental
Reputation: Earn ISO 14001:2015
Certification to Showcase
Environmental Stewardship.
ISO 14001 is of paramount importance as it enables organizations to effectively manage their environmental impact, demonstrate environmental responsibility, and drive sustainable practices.
WHAT IS ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is a globally recognized standard for environmental management systems (EMS) that helps organizations identify and manage their environmental impacts. It sets requirements for establishing an EMS, including environmental policies, objectives, and processes to monitor and control environmental performance.
We offer cost-effective assistance to achieve ISO 14001 certification. Our services include conducting a gap analysis to identify areas for improvement and creating a tailored plan to minimize costs. We provide training and support to your staff, ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities. With our expertise, we aim to streamline the certification process while ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
WHAT IS ISO 14001:2015 CERTIFICATION?
ISO 14001 certification is a globally recognized validation that an organization has implemented an effective environmental management system (EMS) in accordance with the ISO 14001 standard. It demonstrates the organization’s commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible practices.
To obtain ISO 14001 certification, organizations undergo a rigorous assessment to ensure compliance with the standard’s requirements. This validates their commitment to environmental management, performance monitoring, and continuous improvement, enhancing credibility and demonstrating responsible practices to stakeholders.
THE BENEFITS OF ISO 14001
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
It helps in identifying and understanding the legal obligations related to environmental aspects and ensures that the organisation is in compliance with them.
Enhanced Corporate Image
It enhances the organisation's reputation and credibility among stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, regulators, and the public.
Cost Savings
It helps in identifying areas where resource consumption can be reduced, waste can be minimized, and operational efficiencies can be improved, resulting in financial benefits.
Employee Engagement and Satisfaction
It increases employee awareness and engagement in environmental initiatives, fostering a sense of pride and satisfaction in contributing to a sustainable workplace.
Access to New Markets
ISO 14001 is often a prerequisite for participating in certain business opportunities and tenders which opens doors to new markets and business collaborations.
Continuous Improvement
ISO 14001 certification encourages organisations to establish a cycle of continuous improvement in their environmental management practices.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION
Guidance:
Provide guidance to organisations seeking ISO 14001 certification, informing them about requirements and steps for implementing an effective EMS aligned with ISO 14001.
Training and Workshops:
Conduct training programs and workshops to educate organizations on ISO 14001 implementation, covering environmental management principles, EMS development, documentation, auditing, and corrective actions.
Documentation Review:
Assist organisations in reviewing their EMS documentation to ensure compliance with ISO 14001 requirements. Offer feedback and recommendations for improvement.
Pre-Audit Assessment:
Conduct pre-audit assessments or gap analyses to evaluate an organization’s readiness for the standard. Identify areas where improvements are needed and provide recommendations.
Certification Audits:
Conduct thorough and independent audits of organizations’ EMS system. Assess the effectiveness and conformity of their environmental management practices and identify non-conformities.
Surveillance Audits:
Conduct regular surveillance audits to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 14001. These audits help organizations maintain their certification status and continuously improve their environmental performance.
Feedback and Improvement:
Provide feedback and suggestions for improvement based on audit findings. Assist organizations in implementing corrective actions and enhancing their environmental management practices.
Knowledge Sharing:
Share best practices and industry trends related to environmental management with organisations seeking certification. Helping organisations stay up to date with evolving standards and regulations.
WHY GLOBAL STANDARDS ASSURANCE (GSA)
Competitive Pricing
We understand the financial considerations for businesses, especially small businesses. We offer competitive pricing for our certification services, ensuring that you receive exceptional value for your investment. Our pricing structure is designed to be cost-effective and suitable for organisations of various sizes and budgets.
Tailored Solutions
We understand that each business has unique needs and challenges. We offer tailored certification solutions to meet your specific requirements, ensuring that the certification process is aligned with your resources and objectives. Our flexible approach ensures a customized experience that suits your organisation's size, industry, and goals.
Expert Support and Guidance
Switching to us provides small businesses with access to our experienced team of auditors and experts who will guide you through the certification process. We offer personalised support, answering their questions and providing assistance at every step.
Marketing and Branding Support
We provide marketing and branding support to small businesses by highlighting their ISO 14001:2015 certification on our website, marketing materials, and social media platforms. This increased visibility helps them attract customers who prioritize sustainability.
Value-Added Services
Beyond certification, we offer a range of value-added services to support your environmental management efforts. These may include training programs, workshops, guidance on best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives. We aim to be your long-term partner in enhancing your environmental performance and achieving sustainability goals.
Simplified Process
Our certification process is designed to be streamlined and efficient, minimising disruption to your organisation's operations. We provide clear guidance on the requirements and steps involved, making the certification process straightforward and manageable for your team.
ISO 14001:2015 CERTIFICATION PROCESS
Preparation and Gap Analysis
The organization identifies its objectives for implementing an EMS and assesses its current environmental performance.
EMS Development & Implementation
The organization develops and implements an EMS that addresses the identified gaps and aligns with the ISO 14001 standard.
Internal Audit
The organization conducts an internal audit to assess the effectiveness and conformity of the EMS.
Management Review
Top management reviews the results of the internal audit and determines if the EMS meets the requirements of ISO 14001.
Certification Body Selection
The organization selects an accredited certification body to conduct an external audit.
Stage 1 & 2 Audits
The certification body performs off site and an on-site audit to assess the implementation and effectiveness of the organization’s EMS.
Corrective Actions
If any non-conformities are identified during the audits, the organization must take corrective actions to address them.
Certification Decision
If the organization meets all the requirements, the certification body issues an ISO 14001 certificate.
Surveillance Audits
The surveillance audits are typically conducted annually to ensure the continued compliance and effectiveness of the EMS.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The ISO 14001 standard is a globally recognised set of requirements that guide organizations in establishing and maintaining an effective environmental management system (EMS). It provides a systematic framework to identify, control, and improve an organization’s environmental performance. ISO 14001 focuses on proactive environmental management by addressing key areas such as pollution prevention, resource conservation, and regulatory compliance.
By adopting ISO 14001, organizations commit to identifying and managing their environmental aspects and impacts, setting environmental objectives and targets, implementing operational controls, and conducting regular performance evaluations. The standard promotes a cycle of continual improvement, encouraging organizations to assess their environmental performance, take corrective actions, and enhance their environmental management practices over time. ISO 14001 enables organizations to demonstrate their commitment to environmental sustainability, gain stakeholder trust, comply with applicable regulations, and achieve a competitive advantage in an increasingly environmentally conscious business landscape.
Obtaining ISO 14001 certification typically takes 30 days to a year, depending on factors such as business size, complexity, preparedness, resources, and internal expertise. The process involves steps such as conducting a gap analysis to assess current practices, developing and implementing an effective environmental management system (EMS), creating documentation, providing training and raising awareness, conducting internal audits, addressing non-conformities, and undergoing an external certification audit.
ISO 14001 certified means that an organisation has implemented an environmental management system (EMS) in accordance with the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard and has undergone a successful audit conducted by an accredited certification body. This certification signifies the organisation’s commitment to managing and improving its environmental performance, demonstrating to stakeholders that it has established effective environmental management practices and is dedicated to sustainable operations. Ongoing compliance and periodic surveillance audits are necessary to maintain the ISO 14001 certification.
ISO 14001 certification requires organizations to meet a set of requirements outlined in the ISO 14001 standard. These include establishing an environmental policy, identifying environmental aspects and impacts, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, setting environmental objectives and targets, implementing environmental management programs, providing necessary training and competence, establishing communication processes, monitoring and measuring environmental performance, conducting management reviews, and fostering a culture of continual improvement. By meeting these requirements, organisations can develop effective environmental management systems, minimize their environmental impact, comply with regulations, and strive for ongoing improvement in environmental performance.
ISO 14001 certification does not have specific types, but it can be obtained in different categories or scopes. These include single-site certification for a specific location, multi-site certification for multiple locations under one management system, group certification for organisations with independent entities operating under a common system, and sector-specific certification aligning ISO 14001 with industry-specific requirements. Regardless of the category, ISO 14001 certification signifies an organisation’s adherence to environmental management practices and compliance with ISO 14001 standards, demonstrating their commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
ISO 9001 and ISO 14000 are international standards developed by ISO, but they address different aspects of organizational management. ISO 9001 focuses on quality management systems (QMS) and helps organizations meet customer requirements, enhance satisfaction, and improve processes. In contrast, ISO 14000, specifically ISO 14001, pertains to environmental management systems (EMS) and assists organizations in identifying, managing, and improving environmental performance. ISO 9001 certification demonstrates a commitment to quality, while ISO 14001 certification signifies dedication to environmental sustainability. While separate, these standards can be implemented together for a comprehensive approach to quality and environmental management.
ISO 14001 is not a legal requirement in itself; it is an international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) developed by ISO. While organisations can choose to adopt and implement ISO 14001 voluntarily to improve their environmental performance and demonstrate commitment to sustainability, it is not mandatory by law. However, ISO 14001 can help organisations meet legal requirements by providing a structured framework for managing environmental aspects and impacts, and some governments or regulatory bodies may recognize ISO 14001 certification as evidence of compliance with environmental regulations.
A retail store implementing ISO 14001 sets the objective of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Their target is to achieve a 10% reduction in electricity consumption within one year by implementing energy-efficient lighting systems, optimizing heating and cooling settings, and promoting energy conservation practices among employees. Additionally, they aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% through sustainable transportation practices, such as encouraging public transportation use or carpooling. These objectives and targets reflect the store’s commitment to environmental sustainability, and regular monitoring and evaluation will enable them to track progress and make necessary adjustments to improve their environmental performance.
ISO 14001 certification is valuable for a wide range of organisations across industries, including manufacturing, services, construction, government, and SMEs. It enables organizations to demonstrate their commitment to environmental management and sustainability. By implementing ISO 14001, businesses can effectively manage their environmental impact, comply with regulations, optimize resource consumption, reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices. Whether a large corporation or a small business, any business seeking to improve its environmental performance and meet customer expectations for responsible practices can benefit from ISO 14001 certification.