ISO 14001:2015 on course for September release

At its latest meeting in Chiswick last week, the Committee – which is made up of representatives from 63 National Standards Bodies – concluded that the final draft of the revised ISO 14001 standard will be published in June, slightly ahead of the previously anticipated publication date of July.

Martin Baxter, IEMA’s executive director of policy and engagement and the UK’s appointed expert on the current revision to ISO 14001, said: “The working group revising the international environmental management systems standard ISO 14001 has finalised the technical requirements.

“Following a final edit and translation, a ballot of ISO members will be conducted in July and August, with the new standard set for publication early in September 2015.”

A long week, but we’ve agreed to progress #ISO14001 to Final Draft for ballot. Lots of work to be done over next few weeks to finalise text

— Martin Baxter (@mbaxteriema) April 24, 2015

The international ISO 14001 standard outlines how to put an effective environmental management system in place. It is designed to help businesses remain commercially successful without overlooking environmental responsibilities. 

Industry support

Changes to ISO 14001, which are expected to come into force in Q3 2015, will see the standard integrated into core business processes, along with an extra focus on leadership and top management and communicational performance.

The revisions have been welcomed by more than 90% of IEMA’s members, with particular support for the proposals to align environmental management systems with an organisation’s central strategy.

Writing exclusively for edie about the ISO 14001 revisions earlier this year, Anya Ledwith – director of environmental & carbon management consultancy ESHCon – said: “By truly embedding the environment into the organisation’s operations, strategic thinking, risk management and planning, there are plenty of benefits to be had, especially for early adopters.” Read the full article here.

Luke Nicholls