Initial lessons learned from implementing ISO 14001 v2015

The ISO 14001:2015 standard, in effect for 10 months, requires environmental management to be integrated into business strategy, and for the life cycle and stakeholders to be considered.

Marie Faucon
Consultante HSE
Publication : 
13.07.2016
Table of Contents
Example H2
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10 months after its publication, certified companies are gradually adapting their practices and management system to integrate the new requirements introduced by this new version of the ISO 14001 standard: experience feedback.

With this revision, the ISO 14001 standard offers companies an ambitious, more pragmatic approach to address current challenges:

  • Public expectations regarding environmental control are much higher than 12 years ago when the first version of the standard was published
  • Increased need for transparency regarding organizations' environmental performance
  • Desire to simplify and align management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001 …)
  • Commitment to place environmental approaches at the heart of business 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 the ISO 9001 standard.

This approach simplifies the implementation of integrated management systems. It should be noted that some companies have taken advantage of this evolution to align (or even merge) their ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 management systems.

Experience feedback on the main new features of the ISO 14001:2015 standard

  • Consideration of environmental challenges, in light of global, economic, and social challenges
  • Increased consideration of environmental stakeholders
  • Commitment from top management to promote environmental management, within a process approach
  • Application of the standard to the entire product value chain (processes, products, and outsourced services) within a life cycle perspective
  • Improved environmental performance

Among these new features, the main questions and difficulties encountered by companies concern the following chapters:

  • Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties (chap. 4.2)
  • Understanding the organization and its context (chap. 4.1)
  • Environmental aspects (paragraph 6.1.2)

Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties

The standard requires organizations to:

1 - identify their relevant interested parties (DREAL, local residents, local authorities, employees, shareholders…)

2 - determine their expectations

3 - select from these expectations those that must become compliance obligations (i.e., requirements, such as regulatory obligations)

This evolution marks a significant change compared to the 2004 version of the ISO 14001 standard, which primarily required relevant external requests (e.g., complaints) to be addressed.

It should be noted that the standard does not impose a specific methodology or means for carrying out this work.

To meet this new requirement concerning interested parties, most of the more advanced companies have adopted approaches similar to those previously deployed in CSR initiatives.

Specifically, these approaches usually unfold in 3 steps:

  • Identification of the company's stakeholders
  • Qualification of existing or potential relationships with them, and their actual or supposed maturity
  • Prioritizing their expectations to determine which ones to engage with or strengthen dialogue with

Understanding the organization and its context

Another new feature introduced with this 2015 version is the obligation to determine its 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 strengthen (or at least ensure consistency between) the company's strategic direction and its environmental approach.

We advise you to address these new normative requirements after identifying the expectations of interested parties.

Several approaches are possible, but generally, the operating method adopted by most companies involves engaging top management and, with the help of a working group, evaluating external and internal issues: environmental conditions related to climate, impacts on air, land use, water, the availability of natural resources, and biodiversity, which can affect the company's objectives.

Environmental aspects

Companies must now conduct their environmental analysis from a life cycle perspective. It is important to clarify here that the standard does not require a LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of manufactured products. However, a serious consideration of the life cycle phases controlled or influenced by the company must be undertaken.

Depending on the scope of certification and the company's ability to influence 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 considered will vary depending on the activity, product or service, and the company's organization.

For many companies, this evolution will have a significant impact on their procedure for identifying environmental aspects and impacts, and generally, the scoring method will need to be revised.

In practice, the methodology is structured as follows:

  • Formation of a working group with the various stakeholders involved (e.g., "research and development" department, "purchasing" department, etc.)
  • Use of software specific, if necessary
  • Revision of the methodology for prioritizing environmental impacts
  • Modification of the management system (policy, objectives, etc.) to integrate the results of the environmental analysis

Summary of Company Feedback

Generally speaking, once the necessary actions are identified, companies implement an action plan over approximately 6 months and allow their new management system to operate for 3 months before considering certification or a renewal audit based on this new standard.

Following the lessons learned, for a successful transition, we recommend you follow these steps:

  • Familiarize yourself with the standard (and its annex)
  • Inform Management about the major changes
  • Conduct a gap analysis between the standard and your current Environmental Management System (EMS): Diagnosis…
  • Plan the EMS update (resources, timelines)
  • 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 incorporating life cycle thinking
  • If necessary, revise the scope of the EMS and the environmental policy, and adapt the documentation system
  • Conduct a mock audit, then a Management Review

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