Sources: International Organisation for Standardization, Geneva; CP staff
ISO 14046, “Environmental management—Water footprint–Principles, requirements and guidelines,” will allow a wide range of private and public entities the means to measure the environmental impact of their water use and pollution potential. It joins the ISO 14000 Environmental management series, whose “Type III Environmental Product Declarations” standard governs documents concrete interests are issuing as green building rating systems evolve.
Developed by life-cycle assessment-guided experts from across the globe, ISO 14046 can help determine the magnitude of potential environmental impacts related to water; identify ways to reduce those impacts; optimize water management at product, process and organizational levels; and, provide scientifically consistent and reliable information for reporting water footprint results tracked over time. The standard includes geographical and temporal dimensions and identifies the quantity of water used and changes in water quality. Additional information on the standard can be obtained here.
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