ISO 14000 is a set of standards. It aims to help companies around the world reduce their negative impact on the environment. It was introduced by ISO in 1996 and reorganized in 2015. ISO 14000 certificate is optional and not mandatory. According to the data shared by ISO, more than 300,000 institutions worldwide have this certificate.
ISO 14000 is an environmental management system. It includes requirements to achieve and maintain environmentally sound standards of doing business. It considers the entire business process, from product production to product performance and ultimately to product disposal.
Which Basic Standards Are Included in the ISO 14000 Standard Set?
The name of the standard set is ISO 14000. However, the set structure is called ISO 14001. Because the Environmental Management System is established according to the ISO 14001, Environmental Management System Standard and audits are carried out according to the ISO 14001 Standard. Although the name of the standard set is 14000, the certificate is given this name, but the correct one is ISO 14001.
What are the Standard Sets in the ISO 14000 Standard Set?
ISO 14001: Environmental Management Systems – Specification with User Guidance,
ISO 14004: Directive Standard,
ISO 14010 - ISO 14015: Environmental Audit and Related Activities,
ISO 14020 - ISO 14024: Environmental Labeling,
ISO 14031 - ISO 14032: Environmental Performance Evaluation,
ISO 14040 - ISO 14043: Life Cycle Assessment,
ISO 14050: Glossary is included.
How to Obtain ISO 14000-1 Certification?
ISO 14000 certification is achieved when a third-party certified auditor or consulting firm verifies that all requirements are met. First, the audit or consultancy company is contacted. Afterward, situation assessments are made, and reports are made. The priorities of the companies are determined by the reports they provide. As a result of the document request, the relevant legal regulations are determined. Necessary training will be given to companies or institutions as a result of the reports. Improvements will be adapted to companies' systems, and applications will be made.
What Are the Projected Benefits of ISO 14000?
Obtaining the ISO 14000 certificate can be a marketing tool for companies. It is a document that proves companies' importance to the environment. It is proven to consumers and investors that they cause less damage to nature than other companies and have a responsible production or service understanding.
It also helps it meet the environmental regulations enforced by the government. As a result of the efficient use of natural resources, their costs will decrease, and their efficiency will increase. Costs arising from environmental impacts will continue to decline.
In addition, an increase in the environmental awareness of the employees will be created after the training given to the companies as a result of the reports, as well as an ecological awareness of corporate culture.
With the ISO 14000 certificate, it will be easier for companies to comply with national and international environmental laws and agreements. In this way, it will increase the investment rate and the sales rate in the foreign market. In addition to obtaining a solid image in the high competition in the sector, it will increase the sales rate in the foreign market and their visibility in the foreign market. In this way, they will increase their probability of finding foreign investors. Especially European origin suppliers with ISO 14000 certificate prefer to use suppliers within the same certificate.
Regarding cost risk management, meeting ISO 14000 standards helps reduce costs by emphasizing efficient use of resources, limiting waste, recycling, and even finding new services for previously disposed of by-products.
What Are the Costs of ISO 14000?
According to Greenbiz, an environmental management system can cost millions or thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the organization and the type of business it operates. Both costs and benefits vary widely depending on the nature of the organization adopting the standards. For example, an oil drilling company may be more burdensome to standards than a retail operation.
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Çağın Ergün
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