ISO 14001 FAQs

Providing a framework to meet the requirements of international standards for environmental management systems (EMS), ISO 14001 requires organisations to manage their environmental impact through a commitment to pollution prevention, legal compliance, and continual improvement. 

Environmental Management System certification to the ISO 14001 standard helps organisations demonstrate a commitment to improving environmental performance. The standard has been comprehensively reviewed and updated to ensure that it supports changing organisational needs in today’s world and reflects the complex environment in which businesses operate. 

An environmental management system (EMS) is a framework that an organisation can implement to measure and minimise the environmental impact that is caused or could be caused by its processes, operations and products/services.

ISO 14001:2015 puts greater emphasis on proactively improving environmental performance and embeds environmental management within an organisation's strategic plans. It is suitable for organisations of any size and in any sector. LRQA's technical experts were part of the ISO technical committee that developed ISO 14001:2015, so can provide deep insights into the requirements and rationale of the standard.  

Certification from a globally recognised brand like LRQA gives customers, employees, and stakeholders added confidence that environmental performance improvement is an organisational priority.

Environmental compliance

ISO 14001 certification can help you comply with legal requirements by providing a systematic approach for identifying and addressing current and future legislation.

Managing environmental risk

ISO 14001 can help to manage and improve performance in key areas such as energy usage, waste reduction and sourcing of raw materials – reducing the likelihood of clean-ups, litigation and associated reputational damage.  Certification demonstrates that environmental risks are being managed, and improvements against specific targets are always being made.

Credibility and competitive edge 

Being independently assessed against ISO 14001:2015 increases your credibility and provides a competitive edge over non-certified businesses when competing for business. 

Cost reduction 

By promoting continual improvement against environmental objectives, ISO 14001 can help drive more efficient use of raw materials and enhanced performance, leading to cost reductions. 

Easy integration 

ISO 14001 follows the Annex SL framework, the high-level structure for modern ISO Standards. The Annex SL structure ensures consistency and compatibility between the different management system standards and allows for a straightforward and harmonised implementation of multiple standards (integrated management systems). ISO 14001 easily integrates with all new and revised ISO management system standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 27001. 

Our services blend remote and on-site audits activities to provide unrivalled insight and expertise.  Using secure, remote technology, we can provide a fast and flexible way to maintain your audit schedule, help reduce carbon footprint associated with travel, and minimise health and safety risks for people working on hazardous sites or hard-to-reach areas. Outcomes are consistent with on-site audits, so the integrity of your audit and accredited certification remains exactly the same. 

The path that your organisation takes to achieve ISO 14001 certification often depends on your business's size, maturity, and existing approach to managing risk, amongst other factors. But the standard process to becoming ISO 14001 certified includes three main steps.

Stage 1 Audit – document review and planning: Your auditor will review the design and documentation of your management system – in most cases, this is carried out remotely.

Stage 2 Audit – evaluating your implementation: Your auditor will evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of your existing EMS in line with the requirements of ISO 14001. If there are no non-conformities, you’ll receive your certification. This stage can be carried out remotely or on-site.

Promote your ISO 14001 certification: Your certification demonstrates a commitment to internationally recognised best practices and continual improvement – helping you win new business and meet stakeholder demands. If your organisation uses more than one management system, such as Quality (ISO 9001), or Occupational Health and Safety (ISO 45001), LRQA can provide a coordinated assessment and surveillance programme to avoid duplication, save time and reduce costs.

Certification costs will depend on the size and complexity of your organisation and the maturity of its existing management system. 

ISO 14001 is the globally recognised standard which certifies environmental management systems, whereas ISO 9001 is the globally recognised standard which certifies a business’s quality management system (QMS). ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 both follow the Annex SL framework and can be easily integrated.

Clauses 0 to 3: Introduction, Scope, References, Terms and Definitions

Clause 4: Context of the organisation

Clause 5: Leadership and commitment

Clause 6: Planning for the QMS

Clause 7: Support & resource management

Clause 8: Operational planning and control

Clause 9: Performance evaluation

Clause 10: Improvement actions

ISO 14001 is currently under revision, with the Draft International Standard (DIS) now published. The final updated standard is expected in March 2026, which will mark the beginning of a three-year transition period for certified organisations.

To help you stay informed and prepare with confidence, we’ve launched the LRQA Transition Club, a free hub of resources, expert insight and practical guidance to support your transition planning.

Join the Transition Club today