What is the purpose of ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 is an international standard designed to help organisations establish an effective environmental management system (EMS). Its purpose is to help businesses reduce their environmental impact, comply with environmental regulations, and continually improve their environmental performance.

Can anyone implement ISO 14001?

Yes, ISO 14001 is a flexible standard that can be applied to organisations of any size or industry. Whether you’re in manufacturing, services, or any other sector, ISO 14001 provides a framework to manage environmental impacts effectively.

Is ISO 14001 certification mandatory?

No, ISO 14001 certification is not mandatory. However, many organisations choose to pursue certification to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, improve their environmental practices, and meet customer or regulatory expectations.

How long does it take to read all the ISO 14001 policies?

To read the entire ISO 14001 suite of policies including in the de.iterate platform it takes approximately 60 minutes. We spent months and months pouring over lengthy policies and removing all the waffly text that added no value. The result? You end up with just the good bits! You only need to read the lessons and learnings that matter, and that you need to remember.

What other training do my employees need after they read the ISO 14001 policies?

Your employees get to read our Smart Policies and get most of the training they need—all in one. Depending on your internal systems and processes, you will likely have some company-specific training that your employees will also need to complete.

I really want to read ISO 14001 policies as boring Word documents. Can you provide these for me?

We provide ISO 14001 Smart Policies in a digital format, with content that is simple, memorable and easy for you and your team to remember and implement. We don’t provide paper-based policies in Word (or even Excel) formats.

How long does it take to get certified to ISO 14001?

The time it takes to achieve ISO 14001 certification depends on the size and complexity of your organisation, as well as the current state of your environmental management practices. For small businesses, it usually takes around 6 to 12 months, while larger or more complex organisations may take longer. With de.iterate, you can slash this time.

What are the benefits of getting certified to ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 certification helps businesses:

• Reduce environmental impact and waste
• Save resources and reduce operational costs
• Improve compliance with environmental regulations
• Enhance brand reputation by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability

How often will be I audited for ISO 14001 certification?

For ISO 14001 certification, audits are typically conducted at regular intervals to ensure continued compliance with the standard. After your initial certification, the following audits will take place:

1. Surveillance Audits: These are usually conducted annually by the certification body to verify that your organisation is maintaining compliance with ISO 14001 and that your environmental management system remains effective.
2. Recertification Audits: Every three years, a more comprehensive recertification audit is required. This audit ensures that your organisation continues to meet all the requirements of ISO 14001.

The exact frequency of these audits may vary depending on the certification body and the specific agreement you have in place.

Does de.iterate perform the ISO 14001 audit?

If we could, we would. But—unfortunately—ISO Standards forbid us from doing this.

According to Clause 5.2.5 of ISO 17021-1:2015, which governs the requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems, a certification body must remain impartial and cannot offer consultancy services to organisations they audit.

Instead, de.iterate provides a platform that helps businesses prepare for ISO 14001 certification by managing compliance requirements, such as policies, employee training, and process tracking. The actual audit for ISO 14001 certification is conducted by an accredited external certification body. de.iterate’s tools and features support your organisation in meeting the necessary standards to pass the audit successfully.

What are ISO 14001 audits like?

The thought of an ISO 14001 audit might be a bit nerve-racking. But it needn’t be—auditors are people too! Plus, you’ll have a secret weapon up your sleeve: de.iterate! With de.iterate on your team, you’ll have all the information and evidence you need to answer auditor questions easily and stress-free. Auditors love de.iterate. They know that a company that uses de.iterate properly has all their ducks in a row come audit day.

Can de.iterate be on-site during my ISO 14001 audit and answer questions from the auditor?

Yes, we can organise to attend your next ISO 14001 audit either virtually or in-person. Talk to one of the team today about your options at hello@deiterate.com.