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ISO 14001, first published in 1996 and previously revised in 2004, is one of the most widely used environmental management standards in the world. The new ISO 14001 version 2015 was published in September. Let's take a look at the major changes.
The reasons for the ISO 14001 2015 revision
All ISO standards are reviewed every five years to establish whether they need to be revised to ensure they remain current and relevant to the market.
As previously mentioned, the latest revision dates back to 2004. ISO 14001 version 2015 enables us to respond to the changing social and economic challenges facing companies, and is compatible with other management systems such as ISO 9001.
What are the main changes to ISO 14001 version 2015?
The main changes concern (source ISO) :
- The growing importance of environmental management in the organization's strategic planning processes
- Greater focus on the role of management
- The introduction of proactive initiatives to preserve the environment from harm and degradation, such as sustainable resource use and climate change mitigation.
- Introducing the notion of improving environmental performance
- Adopting a life-cycle perspective to address environmental issues
- Introducing a communication strategy
In addition, the standard follows the common structure of other management system standards, using the same terms and definitions.
The new "HLS" structure
The HLS structure (High Level Structure) is now the one adopted for all international management standards.
It therefore provides a common base:
- A common generic structure: same chapters, same article numbers...
- Introductory texts for each article are identical from one standard to the next
- Identical requirements are written identically
- A common glossary of basic terms and definitions
Here is the diagram:
Environmental management takes its rightful place in the company's strategy and processes
The scope of the environmental management system (EMS) must be justified, particularly in terms of the organization's internal and external challenges. The needs and expectations of interested parties must also be analyzed and taken into account where necessary. The company must also identify its sphere of influence and consider its impact on the environment from a life-cycle perspective (see the section on environmental aspects below).
In addition, the identification and consideration of risks and opportunities that could have an impact on the achievement of the desired environmental results are new requirements. The notion of preventive action has been replaced by this new approach.
The notion of process is also now clearly mentioned, particularly in section 8. Carrying out activities.
The role of management emphasized
Following the example of ISO 9001, the role of Management is emphasized, to take its full place in the EMS. Leadership and commitment are now paragraphs in their own right, and management's responsibility for the effectiveness of the EMS is clearly demanded.
Environmental aspects and impacts from a life cycle perspective
The identification of environmental aspects and impacts must now take into account the life cycle of activities, products and services. However, ISO 14001 version 2015 does not require a detailed life-cycle analysis, but it does call for aspects and impacts to be identified and assessed from this perspective, using appropriate methodologies; the aim is not to build "gas factories".
Operational control extends
This life-cycle perspective naturally entails taking the environment into account in design and development processes. Furthermore, within the scope of its sphere of influence, and in keeping with this perspective, the standard requires the company to take an interest in the "environmental" control of its purchasing, its subcontractors (particularly in the sense of "outsourced processes"), its transport and the end-of-life of its activities, products and services.
More communication
The new ISO 14001 version 2015 standard requires the implementation of a controlled internal and external communication process. External communication has therefore become mandatory.
A focus on environmental performance
The notion of "environmental performance" is making its appearance. It must be assessed. The notion of indicators is also introduced. Improving environmental performance is now at the heart of the system.
And how do we move towards ISO 14001 version 2015?
As is often the case, there will be a transition period for certified companies to move from the 2004 version of the standard to the 2015 version:
