What is a use of ISO 14001 Environment Management System?

ISO 14000 series is voluntary and based on international consensus as 65 countries are participating in the standards development process. The standards are generic, i.e. applicable to both manufacturing and service organization, in public and private sectors. They say what should be done by an organization to manage the impact on the environment of its activities, but do not dictate how to do it. Thus ISO 14001 has impact on the issues listed below.

Following issues for Industry are considered:

• Air Pollution
• Water Pollution
• Water use
• Other Resource Use
• Hazardous Substances
• Biological Hazards
• Radiation
• Waste
• Noise
• Community Concerns
• Wildlife & Habitats
• Accidents & emergencies
• Planning Issues 
• Interface with other Health & Safety Issues

ISO 14000 series of standards can be classified as the specification standard and guidance standard. ISO 14001 is the only specification standard to which companies would be registered. All other standards mentioned in the table are guidance standards and so are not prescriptive.

The overall aim of this international standard is to support environmental protection and prevention of pollution in balance with socio - economic needs. However, it is not intended to be used to create non-tariff trade barriers or to increase or change an organizations's legal obligations.

This international standard does not incorporate occupational health and safety management system elements. Nevertheless, the certification / registration process will only be applicable to aspects of the environmental management system. The company has to make targets related to environment issues for long run and achievement for the same. Also provisions for emergency so that environment is no where affected by the company.