Why should you use ISO 14001 to implement in your organisation? If you are new to environmental management, this question will be asked a lot by many people in your organization. In addition to the obvious benefit of improving the environment, everyone, from top management to employees on the floor, will want information. Understanding the importance to your company can mean the difference between a successful implementation and one that is difficult or disastrous. There are many benefits, and not all benefits will be beneficial for everyone.
- Improve The Image And Credibility Of Your Organization
This certification is essential if you have contracts or tenders that need it. Even though it is not a mandatory requirement, customers, neighbours, as well as the local community, will be interested in how you treat the environment around them. Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the environmental practices employed by companies that produce the products. A demonstrated environmental management system can help you demonstrate your commitment to managing environmental impacts. This can increase your reputation, improve your public image, and improve relations with the community – which can help you improve your market share.
- Help You Comply With Legal Requirements
Implementing ISO 14001 Certification has one of the greatest benefits. It provides a framework for monitoring, identifying and complying with various environmental requirements. While it is important to comply with all applicable laws before implementing an environmental management plan, the system may help in maintaining compliance. The implementation will demonstrate to the world that you care about your environment and have a documented framework for complying. This will help boost your image as well as credibility.
- Improvement In Cost Management
All businesses want to reduce their costs. You can start by using your system for identifying, controlling, and reducing environmental incidents. Injuries can result in fines, cleanup, reparations, and other liability costs to your company. Second, the improvement part of your environmental management program can help you reduce costs by helping to conserve energy as well as the input materials required by the company processes.
- Higher Success Rate When Implementing Changes
The ISO 14001 standard is key to ensuring that you work with accurate, good data when trying to make the improvements mentioned above. The best way to increase your chances for success is to track the improvement with good data collection. Even if something goes wrong, you will know sooner so you can fix it and recover faster.
- Accelerate The Improvement Of Processes
The ISO 14001 requirements include the requirement for continuous improvement. This can help your company make small improvements, but more significant improvements to your business processes. These processes will improve your public image and decrease your costs. However, you also can help your employees find new and more effective ways to reduce your environmental footprint and save time and resources when they improve processes. A culture where people can be part of the improvement process is more engaging.
- Reduce Employee Turnover
As mentioned, employees who are actively involved in company improvements are more inclined to engage in other aspects. When given the option of choosing between a company with care and concern for the environment or one that does not, most people would choose the first. People who engage in a group effort with other employees to reduce the company’s environmental footprint are more likely to be focused and retain their employees. Additionally, it’s easier and less costly to keep employees than to recruit and train new workers. Every dollar spent on employee engagement is worth more for the training or recruitment department.
The primary reason for implementing an environmental management program using ISO 14001 is to make the environment more sustainable and less harmful. While this is true, some companies might find it difficult or impossible to justify the costs of making changes. You can justify the cost of these improvements by focusing on other benefits. This will allow you to focus more on long-term benefits and not just the ideals of environmental responsibility.