ISO publishes guidance on environmental management system implementation

Sources: International Organization for Standardization, Geneva; CP staff

The newly revised ISO 14004:2016, Environmental management systems – General guidelines on implementation, is a companion to the ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental management systems, a benchmark reference for life cycle assessments underpinning Product Category Rules and Environmental Product Declarations surfacing across the construction materials and products landscape.

“The new version of ISO 14004 provides organizations with further details and information in relation to the new ISO 14001:2015. Changes include a focus on protecting the environment, environmental performance, life-cycle perspective, leadership and strategic environmental management,” says Dr. Anne-Marie Warris, who chairs Technical Committee 207/SC1, which developed ISO 14004:2016.

“The guidance is intended for an organization seeking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the pillar of sustainability,” ISO 14004:2016 authors note. “This International Standard helps an organization achieve the intended outcomes of its environmental management system, which provides value for the environment, the organization itself and interested parties … The intended outcomes of an environmental management system include: enhancement of environmental performance; fulfilment of compliance obligations; and, achievement of environmental objectives.”

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