6) What is ISO 14001 and what does it take to achieve ISO 14001 Certification?

ISO 14000 is a series of environmental management standards with ISO 14001 the most commonly used framework for an EMS.  ISO 14001 provides a systems approach patterned on the model of plan, do, check and act.  In order to support the June 1992 United National Conference on Environmental Development held in Brazil, the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) made a commitment to determine ways in which it might support the concept of sustainable business development.  An international technical committee of ISO, the Technical Committee 207 (TC 207), was responsible for developing the ISO 14000 environmental management standards. 

ISO 14001 was first established in 1996 and updated in 2004.  To learn more about the International Organization of Standardization (ISO), click here.

ISO 14001 Certification
An ISO 14001 Certification Audit reviews what your organization has in place and compares it to the ISO 14001 standard.  To obtain certification, your organization’s EMS must be reviewed by a 3rd-party.  Certification is not a requirement of the ISO 14001 standard.  However, because of its public perception and perceived market value, ISO 14001 Certification is appealing to public and private organizations. 

For a listing of accredited EMS Auditors, please click here.