ISO 14001 is the international standard that certifies the effective setup and operation of an environmental management system (EMS). Organizations can certify to this voluntary standard, which offers a framework to “manage environmental aspects, fulfill compliance obligations, and address risks and opportunities,” through a comprehensive EMS, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization.
What is ISO 14001 in simple terms?
The ISO 14001 standard can be applied to organizations of all kinds and along any point of the value chain. It requires organizations to consider the environmental impact of their manufacturing processes, distribution, and more. This includes resource use mitigation, water and natural gas usage, carbon emission offsets, and waste management.
Who is required to have ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 is not a legally required standard that companies must implement. However, applying the standard can be valuable for an organization’s internal operational goals, company value, and growth.
Internal operations
- Increase employee engagement with company values and regulations.
- Encourage a culture of continuous operational improvement.
- Challenge employees to innovate waste reduction practices.
Company value
- Enhance corporate reputation by demonstrating commitment to sustainability.
- Improve the confidence of stakeholders.
- Provide a competitive advantage through improved efficiencies and cost savings.
Growth
- Develop products/services that meet needs of environmentally conscious customers and resellers.
- Create circular business models that repurpose waste for efficient resource use.
What does having ISO 14001 mean in practice?
Here are two examples of companies that decided to earn ISO 14001 certification.
UPCON, a company specializing in lifting sunken concrete floors through its proprietary UPCON method, achieved ISO 14001 certification in 2008. This enabled the company to document its process and standardize quality procedures at every project site, enhancing the company’s competitiveness. Since earning ISO 14001, the company has also seen a rise in employee engagement and motivation.
Dell Technologies became certified in 2015, with positive results spanning from increased company leadership to operational productivity. With the development of an ISO 14001-certified EMS, the company achieved zero waste manufacturing in several facilities, diverted 2 billion pounds of used electronics from waste streams and incorporated 100 million pounds of recycled material into new products under its 2020 social impact plan.
How has the 14001 standard evolved?
ISO 14001 was amended in 2025 in response to organizational shifts from sustainability-minded strategy to data integration for increased competitiveness. ISO also recognizes the increased value of digital tools in operations management, along with the importance of identifying resource use along the company’s entire value chain and with supply chain management.
- Alignment with ISO’s Harmonized Structure (HS): This enables the integration of ISO 14001-certified EMS with other ISO-certified management systems.
- Explicit climate change amendments: Clause 4.1 emphasizes the consideration of changing environmental conditions in organization’s context analysis.
- Inclusion of interested parties: Clause 4.2 notes interested parties that may be key to understanding stakeholder needs and expectations in regards to environmental policy.
The final ISO 14001:2025 standard is expected in January 2026, with organizations typically allowed up to three years to transition. However, given the moderate scope of the changes, the adjustment period may be shorter. Companies are encouraged to begin preparing early to take advantage of the enhanced clarity, expanded guidance, and strengthened environmental considerations embedded in the revised standard.