Third Party Certification of ISO 14001 Standards

A recognised international accredited EMS standard such as ISO 14001 is a positive message that can be easily conveyed and recognised by customers, suppliers, staff, investors, local authorities and other regulators.

However a company does not necessarily require third part certification for its EMS. A company EMS is a system designed to best meet the specific requirements of that particular company.

Third party certification does provide a useful support or framework within which to develop an EMS. By achieving an internationally recognised EMS standard, a company demonstrates an ongoing commitment to external stakeholders to manage its environmental impacts in a responsible manner. If a company decides not to develop an EMS that meets an accredited standard, the framework provided by these standards may still be useful as a starting point to developing an effective EMS tailored to the specific requirements of a company.

The International Standards Organisation (ISO) international accredited standard for environmental management, the ISO

14001, is the most widely used and accepted EMS standard. This standard is voluntary, certifiable and is accepted by

stakeholders across the world as the preferred model for environmental management.

The European Union recognises ISO 14001 which is considered a stepping stone for the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). EMAS is a management tool for companies to evaluate, report and improve their environmental performance, incorporating the ISO14001 environmental management system. Participation in EMAS is voluntary.