Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISO 14000?
What's an environmental management system (EMS)?
Why is it important?
Who enforces ISO 14000?
What are the differences between ISO 9000 and ISO 14000?
Can we integrate any ISO 9000-based system with an ISO 14000 system?
Are companies becoming registered to ISO 14001 in the same way they are for ISO 9001?
What types of companies are getting registered to ISO 14001?
Can I become a registered lead auditor/internal auditor to ISO 14000?

ISO 14000 is a series of international standards that deal with environmental issues. Some key standards in the series are ISO 14001, which deals with environmental management systems, and ISO 14010, which covers environmental auditing.

According to ISO 14001, it's the part of an organization's overall management system that deals with developing, implementing, achieving, reviewing, and maintaining the organization's environmental policy. It includes the organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes, and resources.

Environmental concerns are at the forefront of corporate issues today. Having a documented environmental management system helps ensure that your policies are effectively understood and implemented, and that your environmental management system is an integral part of your overall management system.

Like other international standards (such as ISO 9000), ISO 14000 standards are voluntary standards adopted by consensus of the world's standards organizations. Third-party registration by an accredited agency certifies that your organization's management system meets ISO 14000 criteria.

With ISO 14001 an organization may elect to implement its ISO 14000 system as part of an existing management system such as ISO 9000 and the standard includes a table of comparisons between ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. Both include policy, management responsibility, training, document and data control, records, corrective and preventive action, and an internal audit program.

Yes. Although subtle differences do exist, it is possible to integrate an ISO 14001 EMS with your compliant management system. The year 2000 revision to the ISO 9000 standards has greatly enhanced their compatibility with the ISO 14000 standards. For more information, see Integrating ISO 14001 Into a Quality Management System, by I. Robert Marash and Marilyn Block of STAT-A-MATRIX, or take the STAT-A-MATRIX course on this subject.

Yes. Many registrars are certifying companies to ISO 14001. There are, however, different requirements for being registered to ISO 14001, including environmental aspects and impacts.

A variety of companies are focusing their attention on ISO 14000 environmental management systems, primarily manufacturers in automotive, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, as well as utilities, printing, metalworking, and assorted manufacturing companies. In addition, the Department of Defense and many other government agencies are showing an active interest in ISO 14000.

Yes. Attending a five-day registered lead auditor training program will satisfy the basic training requirements for applying for registered lead auditor status. Other requirements apply; please check directly with the RABQSA for specific requirements.