What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It provides a framework to design and implement an EMS and continually improve environmental performance.
It covers everything from resource use and waste management to legal compliance, monitoring performance and involving stakeholders in your environmental commitments.
Why ISO 14001 matters
With heightened concern about climate change, pollution and resource depletion, organisations have a pivotal role to play. ISO 14001 gives you a structured way to address these issues, comply with environmental law and keep improving.
It is often a critical step for working in global supply chains and with major operators, particularly in oil and gas, construction and manufacturing, where environmental performance is closely scrutinised.
Who needs ISO 14001 certification?
Any organisation, of any size or sector, can be certified. It is especially valuable for:
- Oil and gas operators and contractors
- Construction and engineering firms
- Manufacturers and processors
- Waste management companies
- Logistics and transport companies
- Mining and quarrying
- Agriculture and agro-processing
- Hotels and facilities
Benefits of ISO 14001 certification
Better environmental performance
Less waste, lower resource use and fewer emissions.
Regulatory compliance
Understand and meet environmental legal requirements, avoiding fines and penalties.
Cost savings
Efficient resource use, waste reduction and streamlined processes cut costs.
Stakeholder trust
Stand out in a marketplace that increasingly values responsible businesses.
Risk management
Identify and manage environmental risks before they become liabilities.
Operational excellence
Continual improvement leads to leaner, more productive operations.
What the standard requires
Like all modern ISO management system standards, it follows the same high-level structure, so it integrates easily with other standards in a single management system.
Context of the organisation
Understand your organisation, interested parties and the scope of your EMS. Since 2024, this includes considering whether climate change is a relevant issue.
Leadership
Top management commitment, a clear policy, and defined roles and responsibilities.
Planning
Identify environmental aspects and impacts, compliance obligations, and risks and opportunities, then set environmental objectives.
Support
Resources, competence, awareness, communication and documented information.
Operation
Control operations that affect the environment, including outsourced processes, and prepare for and respond to emergencies such as spills.
Performance evaluation
Monitoring and measurement, internal audit and management review.
Improvement
Correct nonconformities and continually improve the system.
How SCL certifies you
STEP 1
Request a quote
Tell us about your organisation, sites and scope.
STEP 2
Apply
Complete the application and agree the audit plan.
STEP 3
Stage 1 audit
We review your EMS documentation, aspects register and legal register.
STEP 4
Stage 2 audit
We assess your environmental controls in practice, on site.
STEP 5
Get certified
Receive your accredited certificate, listed on IAF CertSearch and maintained by annual surveillance audits over its 3-year term.
Frequently asked questions
Does ISO 14001 set environmental performance targets?
No. It requires you to set your own objectives, comply with the law and continually improve, rather than meeting fixed targets.
How long does certification take?
It depends on your size, sites and readiness. We give you a clear timeline with your quote.
How long is the certificate valid?
Three years, with annual surveillance audits and a recertification audit before expiry.
Can ISO 14001 be audited together with ISO 9001 and ISO 45001?
Yes. Because the standards share the same structure, we can run combined integrated audits, which saves time and cost.