ISO 14001
Environmental Management System
QLC’s ISO 14001 certification consultants answer your questions
ISO 14001 was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and specifies requirements as well as guidance for establishing a management system aimed at controlling and minimizing the environmental impacts of an organization’s activities, products, or services.
ISO 14001 can be implemented by any company or organization (private or public), regardless of size or sector, bringing relevant benefits for all. It is especially suitable for businesses that want to go beyond legal requirements and implement a comprehensive Environmental Management System (EMS), obtaining a Certificate of Conformity from an Accredited Body.
The fundamental steps in developing an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System include:
- Identifying legal requirements relating to the organization’s activities and improving infrastructure where necessary
- Reviewing existing environmental management processes and practices, and past incidents
- Establishing procedures in line with the standard’s requirements
- Identifying the organization’s environmental aspects that it can control and influence
- Determining which environmental aspects have (or could have) significant environmental impacts
- Establishing and reviewing environmental objectives and targets, as well as programs for achieving them
- Setting additional procedures designed to support effective system implementation
- Training personnel
- Implementing the system
- Reviewing and updating the system if needed
- Conducting internal audits
This standard can be used as a standalone system or integrated with other management systems the company may already be applying.
The level of difficulty depends on the complexity of the processes, the nature of the organization’s activities, and how actively the company participates in system development. In all cases, appropriate staff training or assistance from a specialized consultant is recommended. The involvement of both employees and top management is critical for the system’s success.
Numerous certification bodies in Greece are accredited by the Hellenic Accreditation System (ESYD) or by equivalent organizations to issue relevant certificates based on a company’s activity. Typically, the certification process involves evaluating the organization’s compliance with legal environmental requirements, assessing its management system, and reviewing practical implementation. If the standard’s requirements are met, the Certification Body issues a certificate; in the event of significant deviations, corrective actions must be completed before the Certificate is issued. Minor deviations must be resolved by the next assessment.
The Certificate is valid for three years, on the condition that the organization continues to meet ISO 14001 requirements, which is usually confirmed through annual audits by the Certification Body.
Key factors motivating companies to seek ISO 14001 certification include:
- Compliance with legislative requirements
- Self-assessment of environmental performance
- Adapting to new trends and “unwritten rules” regarding environmental protection
- Contributing to the global effort to reduce ecological impact
- Developing an industrial policy to reduce resource consumption and improve production processes
- Satisfying environmentally conscious customers
- Raising environmental awareness among staff, increasing recycling, and reducing unnecessary consumption
The timeframe for developing, implementing, and certifying the system depends on the complexity of the organization’s processes that interact with the environment, the number of sites, the staff size, management commitment, and any necessary infrastructure adjustments. For small companies already meeting legal requirements, it usually takes 1 to 6 months.