by Brianna Crandall — March 21, 2016—BSI, the U.K.-based business standards company, has revised the ISO 14004 – Environmental Management Systems standard. Originally published in 1996 to provide guidance on creating an environmental management system (EMS), it also supports ISO 14001, the EMS high-level requirements standard. ISO 14004 has had minor updates since first publication, and has been revised to bring the standard up-to-date with changing environmental needs. ISO 14004 was also modified to reflect the changes in ISO 14001:2015, which has undergone its first major revision as well.
Organizations today are under constant pressure to improve environmental performance and compliance to regulation, and to meet climate challenges and reduce costs. To do this, they need a systematic approach and to continuously improve their environmental management system, says BSI. By doing so they can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and improve efficiency.
The revision incorporates changes made to ISO 14001 including more detailed explanation of key concepts such as context, leadership, risks and opportunities and life-cycle thinking. Because ISO 14004 provides detailed guidance, it can provide particular support to those who might have fewer resources or feel uncertain about how to begin to create an EMS, notes BSI.
ISO 14004 helps organizations of all sectors and sizes to establish, implement and boost their environmental performance and coordinate this with smoother management operations. It is intended to help organizations manage their environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner, thereby contributing to sustainability.
ISO 14004 was designed to be compatible with diverse cultural, social and organizational frameworks and systems of management. It also helps organizations broaden their understanding of environmental impacts and cope with future environmental challenges in an effective manner by taking a view of the entire life cycle and not just one element of sustainable development, says BSI.
The standard is relevant to energy, facilities, operational, environmental and sustainability managers or CEOs or MDs of small organizations who are interested in creating an effective and recognized environmental management system for their organization. Consultants and certification bodies advising and certifying to ISO 14001 will also find it useful.
BSI will be hosting a Webinar on ISO 14004 on April 7, 2016, that outlines the useful features for those interesting in creating an EMS and how it can help users of ISO 14001:2015 better understand the requirements of this standard.
More information on using ISO 14001:2015 to create an EMS is available on the BSI Web site, and copies of BS EN ISO 14001:2015 are available to purchase from the BSI Shop.
