In 2012, the international standard for environmental management ISO 14001 was revised. The result is a new version of DIN EN ISO 14001:2015. The revision was published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) on September 15, 2015.
A transitional period of three years applies worldwide. Within this period, companies must adapt their environmental management system to the revision. Certificates according to ISO 14001: 2004 will be valid until September 14, 2018.
The standards revision of ISO 9001:2015 contains structural and substantive changes.
The revised standard facilitates the implementation of a process-oriented approach and is more practice-oriented. In addition to a few changes, the revision also entails major innovations.
One of the changes is about the new structure of ISO 14001. The structure is based on the basic structure for management system standards (High Level Structure) and has been converted to these. The aim is to ensure an identical structure for all management systems as well as a uniform use of core texts and terms. Integration into other management systems and combined certifications should be more efficient.
Further changes concern the content as well as new environmental management requirements. Accordingly, existing requirements and the scope for design are expanded. The focus of consideration is the environment of a company as well as the impact of a company on the environment.
Why revision?
Standards are adapted to today's company realities and are periodically checked to see if they meet the requirements of the users. The new standard fits the standard of ecological, political and social developments. It also aims to develop an environmental management system.
The new ISO 14001:2015 version is also applicable to all organizations and is compatible with other management systems.
The most important changes:
Application of the "High Level Structure" for management systems with 10 principles
- 1.Scope of application
- 2.Normative references
- 3.Terms
- 4.Context of the organization
- 5.Management
- 6.Planning
- 7.Support
- 8.Operation
- 9.Assessment of performance
- 10.Improvement
- Integration of a risk-based approach (risk management)
- Systematic handling of opportunities / risks and derivation of consequences
- Extended requirements for the whole management, which is responsible for the EMS (e.g., "a representative of the top management")
- More emphasis on the context of the organization, the expectations and the demands of the stakeholders
- More weight on the achievement of EMS results
- Flexibility in the documentation of the management system
- Stronger emphasis on external communication
The main focus of environmental management is still on:
- Improving environmental performance
- Fulfillment of binding obligations
- Attainment of environmental objectives
Our auditing experts offer tailor-made solutions / management systems to national small and medium-sized companies as well as to internationally active companies in order to achieve their goals.
Your advantages in working with us:
- Planning security at a guaranteed fixed price
- Fast implementation of your certification in 6-12 weeks
- Flexible and unbureaucratic approach
- Very short implementation times thanks to optimized specialization
Order of ISO 14001:2015 certification process
1- Pre-audit (optional): Audit experts assess the certification readiness of your company and check whether the requirements of DIN ISO 14001 are already implemented or in process.
2- Certification audit: The audit is divided into two stages.
The stage 1 audit, also referred to as a "friendly audit", is used to plan the certification audit. In this case,
- Examination of documentation: an auditor examines the documentation on site to determine whether the documentation of your quality management system is congruent with the requirements of the ISO 14001 standard.
- An auditor checks whether external framework conditions for the certification audit in Stage 2 are available. In this stage, possible deficiencies can be corrected effectively in order to successfully pass the certification audit.
- The auditor will show you the effectiveness of your quality management system as well as its practical application.
The certification audit in your company takes place in stage 2 audit.
3- Issuance of certificates: After the certification audit, a certificate for a quality management system according to ISO 14001 is issued. The certificate provides proof of the standard conformity and functionality of your quality management system. At the same time, your company is included in the public online certificate database.
4- Monitoring audits: Monitoring audits will be carried out annually in the next two years. In the monitoring audit, the continuous optimization of your processes and the maintenance of the standard conformity are checked.
5- Re-certification: The audit will be repeated at the end of three years. With re-certification, you document your continuous improvement process as well as your commitment to customers and partners.
