BS EN ISO 14001:2004
More and more organisations are now seeking certification to the International Standard for Environmental Management. This overview takes a brief look at the reasons why environmental certification may be appropriate for your company.

What is BS EN ISO 14001:2004?
BS EN ISO 14001:2004 is the internationally recognised standard for the environmental management of businesses. It prescribes controls for those activities that have an effect on the environment. These include the use of natural resources, handling and treatment of waste and energy consumption.

What are the benefits of implementing BS EN ISO 14001:2004?
Implementing an Environmental Management System is a systematic way of discovering the effects your company's operations have on the environment. Cost savings can be made through improved efficiency and productivity. These are achieved by finding ways to minimise waste and dispose of it more effectively and by learning how to use energy more efficiently. BS EN ISO 14001:2004 confirms compliance with current legislation and makes insurance cover more accessible.

Why seek certification to BS EN ISO 14001:2004?
Registration to BS EN ISO 14001:2004 by an accredited certification body shows that an organisation is committed to environmental issues and is prepared to work towards improving the environment. Company image is enhanced in the eyes of customers and shareholders alike. It also gives a competitive edge to the company's marketing and meets the requirements regularly required by authorities and organisations when compiling tender documents.

How do you implement BS EN ISO 14001:2004?
Evaluate your environmental effects and prioritise your responses to them. Identify the boundaries of your Management System and document your procedures for implementing the requirements of BS EN ISO 14001:2004. Ensure these procedures are implemented and then audit them. If you have a BS EN ISO 9001:2008 system in place, many of the requirements of BS EN ISO 14001:2004 will already be covered and can be incorporated into an integrated Management System.

Once developed, Internal Audits are needed to ensure the system carries on working. The setting of targets for the environmental policy and continual measuring against it ensures the system is maintained.
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Assessment to BS EN ISO 14001:2004 and the cost