What is ISO 14001?
ISO certification exists to ensure good health and safety, eco-friendly practices, and more. ISO stands for the International Organisation for Standardisation, and they are a non-governmental, independent body that publishes the standards.
Standards give customers and other stakeholders confidence as in order to obtain certification, organisations are audited by a third-party external assessor.
ISO 14001 is the recognised standard for Environmental Management and specifies requirements for an Environmental Management System. It is used by businesses globally to improve their environmental performance and demonstrate their commitment to the environment. The standard can apply to any business, regardless of its size, sector, or activities.
1. Meet Customer Demands
The modern customer expects more value for their money. They want to know that the company supplying them, transporting their products, and providing their outsourced services is doing so without causing unnecessary environmental harm.
There are many benefits of meeting customer demands as a result of ISO 14001. This not only has a positive impact on your company’s reputation, but it will encourage customers to stay loyal, and will help you to win new business.
Sustainability is at the forefront of many customer’s minds, and now more than ever it is important to meet their requirements and demonstrate your company’s commitment to the environment. With this in mind, now is the perfect time to implement ISO 14001.
2. A Competitive Advantage
Having ISO 14001 can help set you apart from competitors, which is fundamental in competitive industries such as construction and recruitment for example. It can also help you keep up with competitors if many are already certified.
Another fantastic advantage is that your company will be able to bid for tenders. Industry recognised standards like ISO 14001 are often mandatory when bidding. Certification also provides assurance that your business has robust management systems in place.
3. Minimise Your Negative Environmental Impact
It is estimated that SMEs contribute 60-70% of industrial pollution in Europe (OCED, 2018). This frightening statistic reinforces the need for action to be taken by businesses worldwide to minimise their negative impact on the planet.
ISO 14001 tackles this issue by promoting the reduction of waste, responsible waste management, and more efficient use of resources.
4. Compliance with Legislation
Compliance with environmental legislation – is something that is absolutely vital if you want to avoid costly fines and a damaged reputation.
ISO 14001 ensures you are meeting regulatory responsibilities, meaning your company meets environmental targets by both local and national governments.
5. Save Money
Who doesn’t like to save money? With energy prices currently sky high, businesses are no doubt also looking to save money where they can.
As a result of ISO 14001, your organisation will be more conscious of energy consumption and employees will engage in more eco-friendly practices, such as turning off equipment when not in use. You’ll also want to switch out any old equipment which has poor environmental performance. Investing in more energy-efficient equipment can make a real difference when it comes to saving money.
What are the Benefits?
We have discussed many of the benefits of ISO 14001 in this blog. Here is an overview of the main ones mentioned:
- Legal compliance with environmental legislation
- Win new business and retain existing customers
- Reduce waste and improve your environmental performance
- Qualify for tenders and contracts
- Gain a competitive advantage
- Reduced costs of running your business
Become ISO Certified
If you want to reduce waste in your company and become more eco-friendly, then ISO 14001 is a must.