The benefits of tackling environmental issues extend beyond environmental protection and management for SMEs. Effective management of these issues can have a significant impact on a company’s performance and profitability. If you too wish to reap these benefits, you should obtain ISO 14001 certification or EMAS registration.
Obtaining environmental management certification
Implementing an environmental management system in line with ISO 14001 can be a real challenge for SMEs, as technical and financial resources, as well as staff time, are often limited.
ISO 14001 is a set of environmental management requirements that an organisation must meet. It does not matter whether the organisation is a small, medium or large enterprise. ISO 14001 is a tool that helps support the Paris Climate Agreement and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that make up the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It is one of the international standards that help promote better environmental management and tackle climate change. Other ISO standards focus on the management of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and help organisations report on their GHG emissions or reductions to comply with applicable national regulatory requirements, participate in the carbon emissions trading market, or demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Benefits of ISO 14001 for SMEs
Small businesses can achieve the same environmental management outcomes as large companies. Having an ISO 14001 management system enables:
- Improving business practices through tools such as energy efficiency, eco-design, Environmental Product Declarations or GHG reports.
- Minimise environmental impacts, reduce risks and increase productivity.
- Provide a competitive advantage, opening up new business opportunities in line with the marketing plan.
- Improve operational efficiency and save costs, particularly with regard to energy consumption and waste management.
- Build credibility and trust with regulatory bodies and other stakeholders, including customers.
The incentives for implementing ISO 14001 differ from country to country; they can range from reduced inspection frequency to lower insurance premiums or government subsidies, and the benefits will always be enhanced if it is accompanied by other certifications such as ISO 9001 for quality management.