| ISO 14001 revision moves a step closer |
| |
|
|
|
| |
It was recently announced that the revised edition of the international standard for environmental management systems, ISO 14001, has moved a step closer to completion, with an agreement reached on the draft text for the next round of consultation. ISO/CD 14001 (CD2) has been approved for publication, and will be reviewed by the National Body Mirror Committees before the next WG5 meeting in March 2014.
The Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) states that it has worked with members throughout the revision process and will continue to provide support to the working group as the revision progresses.
It was reported that The International Organisation for Standardisation's (ISO) working group responsible for revising the ISO 14001 met on 6-11 October in Columbia and that during the meeting, an agreement was established to circulate the draft text by the end of October 2013 to all national standards bodies for a three-month commenting and ballot period.
Commenting after the meeting, IEMA’s Executive Director-Policy and one of the UK’s representatives on the group, Martin Baxter, said: “The revision is making good progress and incorporating key concepts that will help organisations improve their environmental performance.”
He added: “This latest working group meeting bought significant progress on addressing risks and opportunities, including those relating to external environmental conditions that can impact on organisations. Requirements relating to control and influence across the value chain were also further developed.”
The EMS standard is being revised in line with a new high-level structure for all management system standards adopted by ISO. It was revealed that key changes in the revised draft standard include:
• Understanding the organisation’s strategic context and engagement with interested parties;
• Greater focus on environmental performance improvement across the value chain;
• Evaluating organisational risks and opportunities in the context of external environmental conditions (e.g. adapting to climate change, resource availability);
• Strengthening requirements on the involvement of top management and integration of environmental management into core business processes and alignment with business strategy;
• Greater clarity on external communication, including emphasis on data quality and assurance.
Mr Baxter added: “The proposed changes will mean organisations need to focus on building environment into their core business. We’ll be working with IEMA members to ensure that environment and sustainability professionals are able to implement the changes in their organisations and add maximum business value.”
The revised standard is currently scheduled for publication in the first half of 2015.
About World Center for Certification & Quality Certification
World Center for Certification & Quality Certification Hong Kong was formed in 1988. As part of an international company with many core business platforms, World Center for Certification & Quality Certification Hong Kong provides several certification services, with one of its specializations on quality & environment. World Center for Certification & Quality Certification has offices in more than 70countries, issues certificates in over 100 countries around the world, has more than 80,000 customers worldwide with an increasing clientele base of 10,000 each year, has around 5,700 auditors over the world, and has obtained approval from more than 40 accreditation bodies. Over 65 multinational companies have signed global cooperation agreements with World Center for Certification & Quality, making it the preferred certification services provider by many reputable international companies.
For Enquiries:
World Center for Certification & Quality Certification (H.K.) Limited
Phone: (852) 2815 2092; Fax: (852) 2543 3287
E-mail: certificates@wccq.org
|
| BACK |
|
| |
|
|
