New ISO Handbook Brings Environmental Management to SMEs (Part 2)

The handbook was originally designed for SMEs, but all other organizations, irrespective of their size, can find this information helpful when implementing or upgrading their environmental management system to ISO 14001:2015.

In a statement by the acting ISO Secretary-General, Nicolas Fleury, he expresses:“We hope that this new edition destined to help achieve the benefits of ISO 14001 will be of practical use to small businesses, whatever their activity and wherever they may be in the world, but especially in developing countries and economies in transition. ISO 14001:2015 is a tool that helps support the Paris climate agreement and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that make up the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is our hope that this handbook will encourage further uptake of the standard, helping organizations to mitigate their environmental impact.”

Apart from the ISO 14001, there are other International Standards that help to promote improved environmental management and address issues of climate change. Some of these other ISO standards are geared toward the management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the aiding of organizations’ efforts in reporting their GHG emissions or reductions as compliance with applicable national regulatory requirements, participate in the carbon emissions trading market or demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility.

Other standards in the family that might help

Some of the standards in the ISO 14000 family that may complement ISO 14001 are listed below. More details can be found in the brochure: Environmental management – The ISO 14000 family of International Standards, a basic introduction to the ISO 14000 series of standards.

• ISO 14004 offers guidance on the establishment, implementation, maintenance and improvement of an environmental management system and its synchronization with other management systems.
• ISO 14006 is meant for organizations that have implemented an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001. It helps to integrate eco-design into other management systems.
• ISO 14064-1 stipulates principles and requirements at the organizational level for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removal.