The importance of the impact that we have on the environment and concerns about global warming has seen a big increase in businesses worldwide implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS). 

ISO 14001, which was launched just over 10 years ago in 1996 has become the benchmark for EMS and is now used as one of the principal tools by organisations everywhere to meet the increasing growth of environmental challenges.  Its success is due in part to its ability to provide businesses with methodologies and solutions which address both internal and external environmental risks.

We at The Quality Team have seen first hand how interest in ISO 14001 is soaring.  We provide a series of free information guides via our website on a number of different international standards and requests for ISO 14001 are currently running at around 70% of the total number of guides requested.

The Future… ISO 14005

Many businesses are starting to realise that everyone needs to become environmentally aware if growth and development around the world is to be sustainable in the future.  Historically, companies achieving certification to ISO 14001 tended to be large businesses from the heavy industry sectors who could easily see and remedy their environmental impact.  Over the last few years it has become evident that every business big or small, in the manufacturing or service sectors leaves a footprint on the environment and that the development of EMS is essential for future success. 

With this in mind, a new standard, 14005 is currently being developed which will give guidance to companies on how to construct an EMS in phases that will build together into a system meeting the requirements of ISO 14001.  This standard will be suitable for use by all types and sizes of organisations but is being developed with the needs of small and medium sized businesses in mind.  Once the standard has been published, we will post details on our website. A new free guide will also be available at that time for those of you who would like to find out more.