Many new businesses are pondering the merits of ISO 14001 Certification and, since they’re busy working on their start-ups, put off certification until they are requested on a tender form or by a potential customer.

When that time comes, the time comes, and obviously, way far too far too late. It is possible to get certified in a minimum of five months, which means the chance is gone.

It’s better if you are proactive in your concern for the impact of your business on the natural environment (and the law mandates that you do it). The benefits listed here could be used to convince you and your coworkers to begin sooner rather than later towards ISO 14001 Certification.

Reasons Why ISO 14001 Compliance Matters to SMEs

While protecting our natural environment is one of the main reasons, there are 10 more advantages of having ISO 14001 certified is important for big companies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises alike.

1. Reputation recognized for being an eco-friendly company, and you’re carrying the internationally accepted certificate to prove it.
2. The greater number of candidates who are qualified for employment with your company thanks to this repute,
3. Reduction in the incidence of environmental events, as well as a significant reduction in the amount of time you have to notify Environmental Protection Agencies of such undesirable incidents.
4. Better ability to react to questions of regulatory compliance, as well as an enhanced relationship with regulators as a result,
5. Lower cost for environmental incidents when you have a procedure put in place to stop repeat incidents.
6. Reducing downtime and the cost of interruption in operational processes as a result of fewer Environmental incidents and, if they do occur, they’re handled efficiently and effectively,
7. Lower cost for insurance rates because insurance companies realize the fact that accredited businesses have more and less costly insurance claims.
8. Recognition by peers for being able to meet an international standard, which can influence prospective and current customers (who worry about their social obligations)
9. Scores are improved in documents for pre-tenders (especially for public sector entities) can help ensure that your business is competitive with established companies.
10. Fines are reduced if you are prosecuted because your declaration is valid proof of the severity with which environmental issues are dealt with.
    

Therefore, you require certification by ISO 14001:2015, or “ammunition for your employees to convince them. If you do, then you’ve got ten arguments for how the economic benefits, along with the tangible benefits, are measurable. Your customers and employees will be grateful to you.

ISO 14001 can help you achieve Sustainable Business goals

Resource Planning

ISO 14001 compliance strongly emphasizes the importance of resource planning. This involves planning, identifying and optimizing the utilization of the resources inside an organization.

It could aid your company in incorporating sustainable energy options into your resource planning strategy in order to help you cut down on the amount of energy you use, increase the efficiency of your waste, and discover alternatives to energy sources that can fuel the business activities in addition to many other things.

Supply Chain

The comprehensive ISO 14001 strategy for environmental management may significantly impact all of the chain. It could help your company tackle environmental issues in your operations as well as those of your partners and suppliers. A supply chain with a green approach that is in compliance with the guidelines in ISO 14001 ensures that commitment to sustainability is shared with your business partners right from the beginning until the point of completion.

Procurement

Green procurement, the method of buying environmentally friendly products as well as services, is also compatible perfectly when paired with ISO 14001. The company you work for can utilize this standard to establish standards for suppliers that are sustainable and encourage environmentally friendly procurement practices.

They can also include buying from suppliers that are eco-certified, the use of local suppliers or materials, taking into account the whole duration of a product’s life from the moment it is made until use and then disposal to ensure they meet the sustainability objectives.

Manufacturing

Green manufacturing is focused on eliminating waste, conserving resources and reducing the emissions from manufacturing processes. ISO 14001 provides a roadmap to implement these guidelines. It promotes the use of environmentally friendly materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. It also encourages sustainability in manufacturing and ensures that the process remains efficient.

Logistics

Sustainable logistics is the process of optimizing the transportation of goods and minimizing environmental impacts. ISO 14001 can help your company evaluate the efficiency of its logistics and identify opportunities to cut emissions, increase efficiency in fuel use, and eliminate production waste.

Reporting

Sustainability reports are essential for companies that are devoted to accountability and transparency. ISO 14001 can help your business by capturing, analyzing and releasing environmental performance details.

Then, you can make use of this information to create sustainability reports in order to demonstrate your business’s commitment to sustainable environmental practices to the investors, stakeholders as well as the general public.

Corporate Social Responsibility

ISO 14001 compliance and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are a pair that go together since ISO 14001 is an important instrument for businesses seeking to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability in ethical business policies.

In adhering to ISO 14001 standards, your company can show an aggressive method of reducing the environmental impact, which is a crucial element of environmentally focused CSR actions.

How do I become compliant with ISO 14001?

We will distinguish between managing the environmental elements of your company as well as implementing an official Environmental Management System.

Once processes are in place in the course of starting a business, it is necessary to consider the environmental aspect of your business in the manner that they’re addressed with environmental management actions.

At the point you are considering applying in the direction of certification, most of the work needed to get started (in the shape of risk assessments and environmental plans, for instance) is already accomplished.

When practices and procedures have been incorporated into the system, you are able to begin seeking certification by ISO 14001. ISO 14001. The benefits are sure to be worth it with the knowledge that the risk of environmental damage is in management and is based on legal and regulatory standards.

Additionally, you’ll have an ISO 14001 Certificate to prove the commitment you have made and your achievements in reducing environmental impacts.

Conclusion

The process of obtaining ISO certification is an enormous undertaking. However, the potential rewards regarding effectiveness in operations, customer satisfaction as well as business reliability are enough to justify the purchase for many businesses.

Take a look at ISO certification options for your business with Tuv Westun to learn more about the options.