ISO 14001

First published in 1996, ISO 14001 is a voluntary international standard that establishes the requirements for an Environmental Management System (EMS). ISO 14001 is a management tool and does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria, such as the supply of timber from sustainable managed sources.

ISO 14001 does set out a commitment for continual improvement against an Environmental Policy and compliance with applicable legislation and regulations.

The concept of Continual Improvement of the EMS can take many forms, such as improved communications and employee awareness, improved environmental performance, and improved emergency planning and response programs. It is not necessary for all elements of the EMS to be improved simultaneously.

ISO14001 requires an organisation to have an Environmental Policy, fully supported by senior management, and outlining the policies of the company, not only to the staff but also to the public. It should provide a clear picture of the company’s operations and a description of its activities.

The standard requires a planned comprehensive periodic audit of the Environmental Management System to ensure that it is effective in operation, is meeting specified goals, and the system continues to perform in accordance with relevant regulations and standards. The company itself defines its specific environmental goals.

ISO 14001 is often seen as the corner stone standard of the ISO 14000 series. However, it is not only the most well known, but is the only ISO 14000 standard against which it is currently possible to be certified by an external certification authority.

The standard is applicable to any organisation that wishes to:

• implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system
• assure itself of its conformance with its own stated environmental policy (those policy commitments of course must be made)
• demonstrate conformance
• ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations
• seek certification of its environmental management system by an external third party organization
• make a self-determination of conformance

Current organisations offering advice on ISO 14001 to the timber industry include BM TRADA Certification (01494 569700) and FIRA (0114 201 2665).

ISO 14001