ISO 14001:2015/AWI Amendment 1 is an upcoming amendment to the ISO 14001:2015 standard, focusing on environmental management systems (EMS). It is being developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee 207, Sub-Committee 1 (TC207/SC1).

The purpose of the amendment is to provide additional guidance and clarify the existing requirements of the ISO 14001:2015 standard. The goal is to ensure that organizations can effectively implement their EMS and understand the requirements. Furthermore, it will incorporate changes required by ISO directives and Annex SL, which apply to all management system standards.

Launched in August 2023, development of this amendment is expected to continue until October 2025. The process involves a working group of experts that will explore various EMS-related themes. Although the specific details are currently uncertain, a working group of experts was established to develop this amendment. The first meeting took place in September 2023, and the themes identified for exploration were:

  • Alignment of strategy, business processes and an integrated management system approach
  • Understanding context and risks and opportunities
  • Life cycle perspective
  • Highlighting technical topics as the ISO 14002 series develops guidance in climate, waste, water, etc.
  • External reporting
  • Engagement and the culture of environmental responsibility
  • Outsourced processes and supply chain

For more details, please check the official website.

How may this amendment affect ISO 14001-certified organizations and certification practitioners?

The UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets goals (SDGs) and targets to promote peace, prosperity and sustainability, and ISO is committed to supporting these goals. This amendment may aim to further support achievement of these goals.

The requirements and guidance for ISO 14001 are expected to be more clearly defined and aligned with recent technological advancements and development needs. This will enhance consistency, focus on desired outcomes and promote a systematic approach to environmental management. Certified organizations may need to update their EMS, and certification practitioners should study this amendment before conducting audits.

What is the ISO 14001 EMS standard?

In 2023, the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) standard turned 27. It was initially published in 1996. Its third edition was published in September 2015.

ISO 14001:2015 specifies the requirements for an EMS that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. Intended for use by organizations seeking to manage their environmental responsibilities systematically, it helps them to achieve the intended outcomes of an EMS:

  • Enhancement of environmental performance
  • Fulfillment of compliance obligations
  • Achievement of environmental objectives

ISO 14001:2015 applies to any organization, regardless of size, type and nature, and applies to the environmental aspects of its activities, products, and services that the organization determines it can either control or influence considering a life cycle perspective. ISO 14001:2015 does not state specific environmental performance criteria.

Why choose SGS?

We are known as the global leader in certification, working with clients in virtually any sector. An ISO 14001 audit from SGS will help your organization to develop and improve performance. With a global presence, we have a history of successfully executing large-scale, complex international projects. Our people speak the language, understand the culture of the local market, and operate globally in a consistent, reliable, and effective manner.

We also offer ISO 14001 training courses, a gap assessment to assess readiness for certification, audit solutions against bespoke environmental performance criteria through integrated management systems certification, and process improvement solutions.

For further information, please contact:

Jason Hulbert
Associate Marketing Manager
Knowledge
t: +44 7912426878

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SGS SA published this content on 02 January 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 02 January 2024 06:30:44 UTC.