ISO 14001:2015

FAQ
WHAT IS ISO AND PURPOSE?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO; is an

international standard-setting body composed of
representatives from various national standards
organizations. Founded on 23 February 1947, the
organization promotes worldwide proprietary, industrial, and
commercial standards.

It is a global organization that works to provide

standardization across an array of products and companies.
Its main goal is to facilitate trade, but its focus is on process
improvement, safety, and quality in several areas.
What is Environmental Management System or ISO 14001:2015 and benefit?

• Internationally agreed standard that sets out the requirements for

an environmental management system. It helps organizations
improve their environmental performance through more efficient
use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive
advantage and the trust of stakeholders.

• Benefits:
Advantage over competitors when tendering for business.
Compliance with individual countries environmental regulations.
Can increase employee engagement in the knowledge that they
are working in an environmentally friendly organisation
Sustainable company as the Environmental is part of this
What is the difference between environmental Aspects and
Environmental Impacts?

* Environmental Aspects: is an element of your organizations activities,

products or services that can interact with the environment.
*Environmental Impacts: is the change to the environment. This change
can be adverse or beneficial and wholly or partially resulting from
your aspects.

Example:
Process
Paint Spraying using oil-based
paints and solvents
Accumulated waste to project
site
Transportation of materials
using motor vehicles
Aspects
Emission to Air of solvents
during use
Recycling of waste
Emission of carbon dioxide
Impact
Creation of photochemical
ozone and other pollutants that
affect human health and
environment
Increase landfill space
Climate change (via global
warming)
What is the difference between environmental Aspects and
Environmental Impacts?

Example of Environmental Aspects and Impacts:

Process Aspects Impact

Paint Spraying using oil-based paints and Emission to Air of solvents during use Creation of photochemical ozone and other
solvents pollutants that affect human health and
environment

Accumulated waste to project site Recycling of waste Increase landfill space

Transportation of materials using motor Emission of carbon dioxide Climate change (via global warming)
vehicles
Would past environmental violations keep us from getting certified?

* No. Past environmental violations would not disqualify your

organization from becoming ISO 14001 certified, provided that these
issues have been addressed and resolved to the satisfaction of the
appropriate regulatory body.