The Process and Benefits of Being ISO 14001 Certified

As we slowly navigate the challenges of a post-COVID reality, the world is becoming more aware of the potential pitfalls of environmental negligence. We are not alien to the concept of global warming, climate change, carbon emissions, and inappropriate waste disposal and management. Which is why we wanted to focus this post on the process and benefits of being ISO 14001 certified by our partners at Edenark Group.

According to a compelling report, we have already generated more than 1 billion tons of waste this year. More so, today’s problems are left unchecked, CO² emissions, for instance, may hit 43.08 billion metric tons by 2050. Environmental pollution also accounts for more than 100 million deaths worldwide.

It has become a point of concern for global environmental agencies, NGOs, stakeholders, and even end-users. It has become a necessity that beyond planning marketing strategies to snatch and grab new customers, retain old ones, and recruit top talents, you should review your business operations to become more environmentally sustainable and remain compliant with regulations.

One of the effective ways to achieve all of this is to implement ISO 14001 in your organization. This article will explore everything you need to know about this certification and the benefits for your organization.

What is ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted standard for implementing an environmental management system (EMS) for any organization. This standard is released by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and agreed upon and accepted by a majority of member countries.

ISO 14001 creates a comprehensive framework for businesses to achieve sustainable organizational goals. It is one of the most essential and relevant management systems to implement for your business.

What is the Process of ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 details the policies, plans, practices, records, guidelines, and processes that define how businesses react to the environment. Taking care of the environment and reducing our negative impacts are major challenges we face today. ISO 14001 seeks to address these challenges, providing a practical set of guidelines to promote better business operations.

The contents of the ISO 14001 include:

• Scope
• Normative reference
• Terms and definitions
• Context of the organization
• Leadership
• Planning
• Support
• Operation
• Performance evaluation
• Improvement

This ISO 14001 standard is a detailed guide towards an efficient management process regarding the environment. For your business to be sustainable, you need the ISO 14001 certification.

Benefits of Being ISO 14001 Certified

There are several benefits for your business being certified to an international standard, such as the ISO 14001. They include:

Promote Compliance

One of the benefits of the ISO 14001 certification is that it helps you remain compliant with regulations and requirements bordering on your business’ interaction with the environment. Being on the wrong side of the law is bad for business. A certification like the ISO 14001 positions your business for regulatory compliance and becomes carbon neutral.

Competitive Advantage

Another benefit to being ISO 14001 certified is that your business attains competitive dominance over others. According to a McKinsey study, sustainable companies are +47% more valuable than others and rake in more than 34% in returns on assets.

Global Market Penetration

If you are thinking about penetrating new markets worldwide, having a certification such as ISO 14001 is the way to. It is internationally recognized and accepted as an EMS standard. Implementing it opens you to a global economic landscape involving stakeholders and clients.

Attract Top Talents

Good salary structure and job security used to be the unique selling points for businesses in attracting top employees. These days, employees seek to work for businesses that have a corporate social responsibility and are sustainable.

According to a report, Millennials will make up 75% of the global workforce by 2025 and will not work for employers that are not environmentally responsible. Sustainability is vital in not only attracting but retaining top talents. Another study suggests that employee loyalty and morale were 38% and 55% better in companies with sustainability programs.

With certification like the ISO 14001, your business will not only lure but retain top talents.

Establish Favorable Relationship with Consumers

A certification like ISO 14001 places you in favorable conditions with your clients and consumers. According to a report, 74% of consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable packaging or a business that donates parts of their proceeds to champion sustainability.

Get Juicy Investors

ISO 14001 certification not only gets you in the good books of customers but gets excellent investments from investors. 85% of investors in the US are looking to ‘sustainably invest’ in companies.

Lower Operating Costs

Business owners the world over want to reduce overhead expenses while maximizing profits. With an ISO 14001 certification, you will be able to identify and regulate environmental incidents that may incur costs, fines, cleanups, and even reparations.

More so, ISO 14001 helps you reduce operating costs by improving your energy conservation process to reduce mounting utility bills.

Protection from Environmental Threats

ISO 140001 EMS allows you to identify, analyze, and mitigate environmental threats that incur costly reparations. Thus, your business remains compliant with environmental regulations and guidelines.

The Edenark Group ISO 14001 Sustainability Certification

Edenark Group is one of the world’s leading accredited agencies for the ISO 14001 certification. The certification is backed UN, the World Bank, SEC, COP25, FINRA and is currently implemented by +56% of the world’s largest 79,000 businesses and buildings.

With the Edenark Group 14001 sustainability certification comes with several benefits, including:

• Improved brand image for your customers and investors
• Attract and retain top talents
• Become carbon neutral
• Competitive dominance
• Global penetration
• Get your business in a framework of +300k organizations

Reach out to Edenark Group and improve your business operations today.