ISO 14001:2015: An improved tool for sustainability
Abstract: ISO 14001 is an
International Standard of worldwide acceptance based on the concept that better
environmental performance can be achieved when environmental aspects are
systematically identified and managed giving a major contribution to
Sustainability, through pollution prevention, improved environmental
performance and complying with applicable laws.This paper aims to discuss the
Sustainability approach through the use of Environmental Management Standards
and the current process of ISO 14001:2015 revision.
Design/methodology/approach: Revisiting the concept of Sustainability,
the status of the revision process of ISO 14001:2015 and its expected outcomes
are discussed.
Findings and Originality/value: It is one of the first attempts to
analyze, within the Sustainability framework, the status of the revision of the
future ISO 14001:2015 International Standard that will respond to the latest
trends and is expected to further improve Environmental performance by
impacting the work of many People and Organizations worldwide and also ensuring
it is compatible with other management system standards such as ISO 9001.
Research limitations/implications: Since the revision standard is not yet
finished some changes might still happen and some of the remarks expressed in
this paper might not be consensual within the Environmental Community.
Practical implications: There will be a 3 year transition process for the
ISO 14001:2015 certification and major benefits like Quality Management Systems
with less emphasis on documentation and new/reinforced approaches as
consideration of organizational context and (relevant) Stakeholders, risk based
thinking, life cycle perspective and more emphasis on improving environmental
performance.
Social implications: The ISO 14001:2015 revision will have major impacts
on the more than 300.000 worldwide certified organizations and on the many
professionals that work with, hopefully
Originality/value: Although 14001:2015 is not yet finished the author
thinks organizations will have new tools for environment performance
enhancement and the main question is how far ISO/TC 207 can go without
alienating the "traditional" user. Major changes should include
understanding of the organization’s context in order to better manage risk,
emphasis on relevant stakeholders, leadership to promote environmental
management , the introduction of the concept of life cycle perspective and a
shift towards improving environmental performance.
Author: Luis Miguel Ciravegna
Martins da Fonseca
Journal Code: jptindustrigg150027
