ISO (International Organization for Standardization) based in Geneva, developed and published a new standard concerning management and environmental standards - ISO 14000. In September 1996, the first edition ISO 14001 was published which was updated and followed by a second edition in 2004. The purpose of the ISO 14000 (series) standards help businesses reduce waste, energy consumption, distribution costs, and improve the businesses image.

Interestingly, despite of the standards benefits which it carries along, not everyone is willing to extend their certification. The main reason for this is that certain businesses and consumers pay little attention to this when making a purchase. ISO 14001 adds administration costs, and inspections from the required regulations. Yet, they do continue to improve their sustainable practices to increase their businesses efficiency and profits.

A example of a such business would be a winery. Despite of the fact that it was awarded the ISO certification it failed from the consumers point of view, as no one really payed special attention to such labels on wines. The must important features are taste, packaging, price,and organoleptic characteristics. Because of this, the company failed to extend its certification, and yet it continued to operate sustainably. Lastly, to encourage and motivate the staff a business owner setups a salary system with incentives for environmental actions.

For those interested in acquiring a ISO 14001:2004 standard must meet the following requirements:

• Environmental Policy - develop a statement of the organization’s commitment to the environment
• Environmental Aspects and Impacts - identify environmental attributes of products, activities and services and their effects on the environment
• Legal and Other Requirements - identify and ensure access to relevant laws and regulations
• Objectives and Targets and Environmental Management Program - set environmental goals for the organization and plan actions to achieve objectives and targets
• Structure and Responsibility - establish roles and responsibilities within the organization
• Training, Awareness and Competence - ensure that employees are aware and capable of their environmental responsibilities
• Communication - develop processes for internal and external communication on environmental management issues
• EMS Documentation - maintain information about the EMS and related documents
• Document Control - ensure effective management of procedures and other documents
• Operational Control - identify, plan and manage the organization’s operations and activities in line with the policy, objectives and targets, and significant aspects
• Emergency Preparedness and Response - develop procedures for preventing and responding to potential emergencies
• Monitoring and Measuring - monitor key activities and track performance including periodic compliance evaluation
• Evaluation of Compliance - develop procedure to periodically evaluate compliance with legal and other requirements
• Nonconformance and Corrective and Preventive Action - identify and correct problems and prevent recurrences
• Records - keep adequate records of EMS performance
• EMS Audit - periodically verify that the EMS is effective and achieving objectives and targets
• Management Review - review the EMS

These 17 elements are grouped into five phases that relate to Plan-Do-Check-Act:

• Environmental Policy,
• Planning, Implementation
• Operation,
• Checking & Corrective Action,
• Management Review.

As of today, ISO has developed over 350 international standards which help business, and consumers monitor the usage of natural capital (air, soil, water). The proactive managers that decide to implement them into their business benefit in the long-run. To maximize efficiency changes should be performed by staff and outside experts. The acquired certification is only valid for a period of three years. Afterwards, it either may be extended or cancelled. According to ISO, as of December 2009, there are over 223,149 ISO companies from 159 countries certified as a ISO 14001 compliant. On average annually this number increases by 34,000.

For more information please visit the organizations website at http://www.iso.org