ISO 14001 revision planned for late 2015

Archived news about the ISO 14001 revision planned for 2015. The information reflects the original publication.

Why was the standard being reviewed?

ISO standards are periodically reviewed, generally at intervals of about five years, to ensure that they remain relevant to users. Dr Anne-Marie Warris, chair of the ISO 14001 revision subcommittee, emphasised the importance of this environmental standard. She explained that it covers environmental matters including water, air, climate and land, and requires organisations to formally consider these environmental aspects.

Planned areas of emphasis

The forthcoming edition represented an important development of ISO 14001. Improvements over the previous edition drew on feedback from more than 5,000 people in 110 countries. In response to user needs, the new edition would place greater emphasis on:

• Strategic environmental management
• Leadership
• Protection of the environment
• Environmental performance
• Life cycle thinking

The planned 2015 timetable

Experts were scheduled to meet in Tokyo, Japan, on 2-7 February 2015 to review the comments received. The final draft would then be sent to member countries for voting. At the time, publication of the revised ISO 14001 standard was expected by the end of 2015.