ISO 14001:2015 - Introduction to the expected changes

The revision process for the standards is common, and ISO 14001:2015 is undergoing similar scrutiny. The draft revisions will continue as per the process that ISO follows. The working group is expected to move toward a true consensus standard following up on comments and suggestions. This is expected to be finalized by end of 2015. The standard is then expected to be good till about 2025. These fundamental changes are going to be with us for a long time. So by September of 2015, both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 will be available in the revised format.

  The ISO 14001:2004 lays the framework for organizations to manage environmental aspects effectively and ensure protection of the environment and prevent pollution. This internationally accepted standard is proof of an organization conforming to the EMS (environmental management system) principles. The existing standard has stood the test of time, but the changes envisaged now will ensure the revised standard continues to meet emerging and future requirements and expectations of stakeholders. This is a fundamental revision to the standard similar to what is being done for ISO 9001 and what has already been implemented in ISO 27001. This is expected to be followed perhaps to publish a new standard encompassing the current OHSAS and ANSI standards with a single occupational health and safety standard under the ISO framework with the HLS (High Level Structure). The revisions will impact both the structure of the standard and the contents. 

   

   Expected Changes. The revised standard not only will have many clauses further strengthened but the order of many in the standard will change to the new structure to align with the HLS prescribed in  Annex SL. Awareness, for example, will no longer be part of competence and training; instead it will be in a separate sub-clause. The standard will provide greater emphasis on improvement. Changes to the structure will address new requirements requiring the understanding of the organization and its context as also the needs and expectations of interested parties. New clauses will address external communication and reporting, value chain planning and control and continual improvement. 

   Annex SL. The revised standard will have structural changes aligned with the HLS provided in  ISO Guide 83/ Annex SL. The look and feel of ISO 14001:2015 is expected to be functional for the management system approach aligned to the approach in ISO 9001:2015 as applicable to quality, to ISO 27001 – information security and ISO 50001 – for energy. The integrated management system approach which has been tried all these years was a challenge similar to the side car attached to a motorcycle! With the guidelines of ISO Guide 83/ Annex SL better integration of organizations management strategies.

   Leadership. The emphasis on leadership will ensure environmental management is integral to overall management strategy, policy and business development. Considering the environmental requirements as integral to the business development and continuity will require an overall consideration. The leadership will be required to further consider: 

1. Evaluation and understanding of both external and internal context of the organization in relationship to the environment. Implying that not only must organizations consider the impact of activities on the environment (as with ISO 14001:2004) but also consider the impact of the environment on the organization’s activities. 
2. Organizations will need to consider the needs and impacts of interested parties, including their supply chains and end users. 
3. Enhanced leadership commitment to include expanding the pollution prevention commitment to cover sustainable resource use, climate change mitigation and adaptation and protection of the environment biodiversity and restoration of the natural habitat. 
4. There is expected emphasis on transparency in line with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Social Responsibility aspects from ISO 26000 requiring reporting of environmental performance. 
5. Evaluating organizational risks and opportunities in the context of external environmental conditions as adapting to climate change and so on. 

In conclusion, please stay tuned for future articles on this subject. It is important for management to know what to expect from future audits and for auditors to understand that when ISO 14001:2015 is published, it will have a new structure and text aligned to the HLS as per ISO Guide 83/ Annex SL. It will address the recommendations from ISO “Future Challenges” study for the adoption of various approaches in the field of EMS. The revision to the standard is a fundamental change.