ISO 14001 Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use is an internationally recognised standard for the development of an effective environmental management system. The ISO 14001 standard was developed in Amsterdam by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in 1996.
The ISO 14001 environmental management system standard specifies a process for the control and the continuous improvement of an organisation’s environmental performance. The ISO 14001 standard develops a strategic approach to an organisation's environmental policy, plans and actions. It does not specify environmental performance criteria but simply how to develop an ISO 14001 environmental management system.
There are 17 specific elements of ISO 14001 environmental management system standard and 18 elements when counting the all-encompassing first general element (4.1 General requirements). They are as follows:
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An environmental policy supported by senior management;![]()
Identification of environmental aspects and impacts;![]()
Identification of environmental legal and other requirements;![]()
Development of objectives and targets, and their programs;![]()
Defined resources, roles, responsibilities and authorities;![]()
Development of competence, training and awareness procedures;![]()
A communication process for all stakeholders and interested parties;![]()
Documentation including records as required by ISO 14001;![]()
Development of document control procedures;![]()
Development of operational control procedures;![]()
Development of emergency preparedness and response procedures;![]()
Development of monitoring and measuring procedures; ![]()
An evaluation of compliance procedure;![]()
Non-conformance, corrective and preventative action procedures;![]()
The development of a records management procedure;![]()
A program for completing internal ISO 14001 audits; and![]()
Development of procedures for senior management review.
The ISO 14001 environmental management system standard specifies a process for the control and the continuous improvement of an organisation’s environmental performance. The ISO 14001 standard develops a strategic approach to an organisation's environmental policy, plans and actions. It does not specify environmental performance criteria but simply how to develop an ISO 14001 environmental management system.
There are 17 specific elements of ISO 14001 environmental management system standard and 18 elements when counting the all-encompassing first general element (4.1 General requirements). They are as follows:
An environmental policy supported by senior management; Identification of environmental aspects and impacts;Identification of environmental legal and other requirements; Development of objectives and targets, and their programs; Defined resources, roles, responsibilities and authorities; Development of competence, training and awareness procedures; A communication process for all stakeholders and interested parties;Documentation including records as required by ISO 14001; Development of document control procedures; Development of operational control procedures; Development of emergency preparedness and response procedures; Development of monitoring and measuring procedures; An evaluation of compliance procedure;Non-conformance, corrective and preventative action procedures;The development of a records management procedure;A program for completing internal ISO 14001 audits; and Development of procedures for senior management review.