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10 months after its publication, certified companies are gradually adapting their practices and management systems to incorporate the new requirements introduced by this new version of ISO 14001: feedback.
With this revision, ISO 14001 offers companies an ambitious, more pragmatic approach to today's challenges:
- Public expectations in terms of environmental control are much higher than 12 years ago when the first version of the standard was published.
- The need for greater transparency on the environmental performance of organizations
- Desire to simplify and harmonize management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, etc.)
- The desire to position environmental approaches at the heart of corporate strategy
To meet these expectations and challenges, ISO (International Organization for Standardization) decided to rewrite the standard and give it the same structure (architecture) as ISO 9001.
This approach simplifies the implementation of integrated management systems. It is worth noting that some companies have taken advantage of this development to bring together (or even merge) their ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 management systems.
Feedback on the main new features of ISO 14001 version 2015
- Consideration of environmental issues in relation to global, economic and social issues
- Taking greater account of environmental stakeholders
- An investment by the hierarchy to promote environmental management, in a process approach
- Application of the standard to the entire product value chain (processes, products and outsourced services) within a lifecycle approach.
- Improved environmental performance
Among these new features, the main questions and difficulties encountered by companies concern the following chapters:
- Understanding stakeholder needs and expectations (chap. 4.2)
- Understanding the organization and its context (chap. 4.1)
- Environmental aspects (paragraph 6.1.2)
Understanding stakeholder needs and expectations
The standard requires organizations to :
1 - identify relevant stakeholders (DREAL, local residents, local authorities, employees, shareholders, etc.)
2 - determine their expectations
3 - select from these expectations those that should become compliance obligations (i.e. requirements, in the same way as regulatory obligations can be)
This development marks a real change compared with the 2004 version of ISO 14001, which mainly called for relevant external requests to be dealt with (complaints, etc.).
It should be noted that the standard does not impose any methodology or means for carrying out this work.
To meet this new stakeholder requirement, the most advanced companies have for the most part adopted approaches similar to those previously deployed in CSR initiatives.
In practical terms, these procedures usually involve 3 stages:
- Identifying the company's stakeholders
- Qualification of current or potential links with them, their actual or assumed maturity
- Prioritize their expectations in order to identify those with which to initiate or strengthen dialogue.
Understanding the organization and its context
Another new feature introduced with this 2015 version is the obligation to identify external and internal issues likely to influence the achievement of expected environmental results.
This understanding of environmental issues at the highest level of the company should help reinforce (or at least ensure consistency) between the company's strategic orientations and its environmental approach.
We advise you to deal with these new normative requirements after identifying the expectations of interested parties.
Several approaches are possible, but overall, the modus operandi adopted by most companies is to call on senior management and, with the help of a working group, assess external and internal issues: environmental conditions linked to climate, impacts on air, land use, water, the availability of natural resources and biodiversity, which may have an impact on the company's purpose.
Environmental aspects
Companies are now required to carry out their environmental analysis from a life-cycle perspective. It should be pointed out here that the standard does not impose an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of manufactured products. However, serious thought must be given to the life-cycle phases controlled or influenced by the company.
Depending on the scope of certification and the company's ability to act on the "design" aspect, the identification of environmental aspects and impacts must take into account the acquisition of raw materials, design, production, transport, use, treatment and end-of-life disposal.
Important: the life-cycle phases to be taken into account will vary according to the activity, product or service and organization of the company.
For many companies, this change will have a significant impact on their procedure for identifying environmental aspects and impacts, and in most cases the rating method will have to be revised.
In practice, the methodology is as follows:
- Set up a working group with the various players involved (research and development department, purchasing department, etc.).
- Use of specific software, if necessary
- Revision of the methodology for prioritizing environmental impacts
- Modification of the management system (policy, objectives, etc.) to incorporate the results of the environmental analysis.
Summary of company feedback
Generally speaking, once the actions to be taken have been identified, companies implement an action plan over a period of around 6 months and let their new management system "live" for 3 months before considering certification or a renewal audit based on the new standards.
For a successful transition, we recommend the following steps:
- Read the standard (and its appendix)
- Making management aware of major changes
- Conduct a gap analysis between the standard and your current Environmental Management System (EMS): Diagnosis ...
- Plan (resources, deadlines) EMS updates
- Identify risks and opportunities as well as stakeholder expectations + identify internal and external issues related to the company's context
- Update the environmental analysis by introducing a "life cycle analysis" approach
- If necessary, revise the scope of the EMS and environmental policy, and adapt the documentation system.
- Carry out a "blank" audit, followed by a Management Review