Evolution And Future Challenges Of ISO 14001 Standards

There has been a clear shift in the profile of users of EMS since the 1990s. Typically, the early adopters of the ISO 14001 Standard were in the heavy industry and manufacturing sectors – companies that had large-scale environmental impacts and experience of using ISO 14001 Standards in management.

There has been a clear shift in theprofile of users of EMS since the1990s. Typically, the early adoptersof the standard were in theheavy industry and manufacturingsectors – companies thathad large-scale environmentalimpacts and experience of usingstandards in management.

However, as environmental issues have increased in importance, organizations in the service and support sectors have adopted EMS as well. The spectrum of EMS users has broadened to areas including zoos, farming, schools and universities, military services, media, ships and airlines.

ISO 14001 certification now reaches cruise ship companies, marine transportation services, container carriers and leading ship classification societies.

Almost all airlines and airports can be expected to be certified within the next ten years. Recreation, holidays, browsing in shopping malls. More and more small- and medium-sized enterprises are discovering the benefits of certification. The myth that ISO 14001 is difficult to implement for small business is de-bunked by the fact that more than 200 German chimney sweeps are certified.

The number of EMS users will continue to grow, particularly as ISO 14001 penetrates more effectively into supply chains.

The real challenge in the future, however, will be how well the ISO 14001 participants deal with the most compelling environmental threats – climate change, resource use, biodiversity loss and legal compliance.

For ISO 14001 to maintain its international currency as a force for environmental protection, it will need to demonstrate that it is able to support action on these areas and remain an effective tool for sustainable consumption and production.