The ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems standard, which is widely utilized by ISO, has recently undergone a revision. The reason for this is that all ISO standards are reviewed every five years to assess whether they need to be updated in order to remain current and pertinent to the market. The ISO 14001:2015 standard has been modified to reflect the latest trends and ensure compatibility with other management system standards.

The primary changes made to the standard include:

• Increased emphasis on environmental management in the organization’s strategic planning processes
• Greater emphasis on management
• Addition of proactive measures to prevent harm and degradation to the environment, such as sustainable resource utilization and climate change mitigation
• Enhanced focus on environmental performance
• Incorporation of lifecycle thinking when considering environmental aspects
• Introduction of a communications strategy

Furthermore, the revised standard follows a common structure and uses the same terminology and definitions as several other management system standards, such as ISO 9001. This makes it easier, more affordable, and faster for companies that use multiple standards, as well as aiding auditors.

 The key improvements made to ISO 14001:2015 are : 

• Using ISO 14001:2015 as a means to achieve the environmental component of sustainability
• Adopting a life-cycle approach that encompasses the entire lifespan of a product or service, from creation to disposal
• Greater alignment with strategic objectives
• Increased emphasis on measuring and achieving environmental performance
• Greater protection of the environment through proactive initiatives
• Increased commitment from organizational leaders
• Improved internal and external communication, facilitated through the use of a communication strategy.