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The revised version of ISO 50001, introduced in 2011 to help companies set up an energy management system to improve their energy performance, is due to be published before the end of 2018. Here's an update on upcoming developments.
Since June 2016, under the leadership of ISO/TC 301 Technical Committee, "Energy management and energy savings", some 30 experts from various countries have been actively working on the revision of ISO 50001. Their objectives are to take greater account of the expectations of interested parties, to harmonize this standard - in particular with the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards - to facilitate the implementation of integrated management systems, and to facilitate the appropriation of this standard by SMEs and SMIs.
Towards an integrated energy management system
Main change: ISO 50001 will now be organized according to the 10 chapters imposed by the HLS ("High Level Structure "), a format defined in 2012 and already adopted for the latest versions of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. The aim is to encourage the implementation of integrated management systems.
The new version of ISO 50001 also clarifies the concepts of energy performance for SMEs and VSEs, to help them make the standard their own and embark on the road to energy management.
It invites companies of all sizes to integrate their energy management systems (EMS) into their business processes, by encouraging the emergence of energy policies compatible with the company's overall strategic direction and objectives.
As part of their SMé, the revised version of ISO 50001 stipulates that companies must analyze their context to identify the relevant issues, identify the relevant obligations of their stakeholders, and carry out a risk and opportunity analysis.
Another new feature is the reinforcement of the requirement for continuous improvement in energy performance. This notion already existed in the 2011 version, but the current draft requires organizations to put in place monitoring and measurement actions to demonstrate continuous improvement.
Revised ISO 50001 standard: publication expected by the end of 2018
The draft international standard ISO 50001 DIS version was approved in November 2017 and the final consultations are underway. The full report after this voting procedure enabled the FDIS version, for "Final Draft International Standard", to be launched in March 2018.
This version, which is the final version before publication of the definitive standard, was submitted in May 2018 as part of the approval procedure. The final voting and consultation procedures with ISO bodies and the technical committee in charge of revising this standard are underway. WhileISO is not announcing an official release date, publication of the revised standard is expected before the end of 2018.