ISO 14001 Environmental management systems

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Whether you're looking to strengthen environmental performance, demonstrate your commitment to sustainability, meet customer expectations, satisfy tender requirements or better understand your environmental responsibilities, ISO 14001 provides a recognised framework for environmental management and continual improvement.

Used by organisations of all sizes and sectors, ISO 14001 helps businesses identify, manage and reduce their environmental impacts whilst supporting sustainable and responsible operations.

ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS).

It provides a structured framework for identifying and managing the environmental impacts associated with an organisation's activities, products and services.

The standard supports organisations in understanding their environmental responsibilities, establishing appropriate controls and continually improving environmental performance.

Applicable to organisations of any size or sector, ISO 14001 helps promote responsible environmental management whilst supporting wider business objectives.

ISO 14001 certification is an independent assessment of your Environmental Management System by a Certification Body.

We strongly recommend selecting a UKAS-accredited Certification Body to ensure certification is independently recognised and accepted by customers, procurement organisations and other stakeholders.

Certification provides independent verification that your Environmental Management System meets the requirements of ISO 14001 and is being effectively implemented throughout the organisation.

A review of your existing environmental management arrangements to identify strengths, areas of conformity and opportunities for improvement against the requirements of ISO 14001. 

Developing a practical Environmental Management System that reflects your organisation's activities, environmental risks and business objectives whilst satisfying the requirements of ISO 14001. 

This may include: 

• Environmental Policy development
• Identification of environmental aspects and impacts
• Compliance obligation registers
• Environmental objectives and targets
• Risk and opportunity management
• Operational controls
• Emergency preparedness and response arrangements
• Supporting documented information

Developing and implementing an internal audit programme to verify that the Environmental Management System has been effectively implemented and is achieving its intended outcomes. 

Conducting internal audits to assess conformity, identify opportunities for improvement and support readiness for certification assessment. 

Supporting the investigation of findings, the implementation of corrections and the development of effective corrective actions where required. 

Reviewing the performance and effectiveness of the Environmental Management System to ensure it remains suitable, adequate and effective. 

The Certification Body reviews documented information and management system arrangements to determine readiness for Stage 2 assessment. 

A detailed assessment of implementation and effectiveness throughout the organisation. Auditors will review records, sample activities, assess processes and interview personnel to determine conformity with ISO 14001 requirements. 

Where the Environmental Management System is found to conform to the requirements of ISO 14001 and any audit findings have been satisfactorily addressed, the organisation may be recommended for certification following completion of the Stage 2 assessment. 

The Certification Body completes its independent certification decision process before certification is issued. 

Certification is maintained through annual surveillance audits, which assess continuing conformity and the ongoing effectiveness of the management system. 

A recertification audit is typically undertaken every three years to maintain certification and demonstrate continued compliance with the requirements of the standard. 

There is no fixed timescale for achieving certification. The duration of the certification journey will depend on several factors, including: 

• Size of the organisation
• Complexity of operations
• Environmental risks and impacts
• Scope of certification
• Existing management systems
• Availability of resources
• Number of locations
• Current level of compliance

A Gap Analysis can help determine the level of support required and establish a realistic route to certification.

We provide practical support throughout the certification journey, helping organisations understand requirements, develop effective management systems and prepare for independent certification assessment. 

Support can include: 

• Gap Analysis
• Environmental Policy Development
• ISO 14001 Implementation
• Environmental Aspect and Impact Assessments
• Compliance Obligation Legal Register Evaluations
• Environmental Objectives and Target Development
• Procedure Development
• Internal Audit Programme Development
• Internal Auditing
• Management Review Support
• Certification Readiness Reviews
• Stage 1 Audit Preparation
• Stage 2 Audit Preparation
• Corrections and Corrective Action Support
• Surveillance Audit Preparation
• Ongoing Management System Support

Whether you require support with a specific project, additional resources during implementation, or ongoing environmental management expertise, services can be tailored to suit the needs of your organisation.