Blog List of Mandatory Documents for ISO 14001:2015

Mandatory documents for ISO 14001:2015

The following mandatory documented information is required:

• 4.3 -Scope of the EMS
• 5.2 – Environmental Policy
• 6.1.1 – Risk and Opportunities to be Addressed and Processes Needed
• 6.1.2 – Criteria for Evaluation of Significant Environmental Aspects
• 6.1.2 – Environmental Aspects with Associated Environmental Impacts
• 6.1.2 – Significant Environmental Aspects
• 6.1.3 – Compliance Obligations Document
• 6.2 – Environmental Objectives and Plans for Achieving Then
• 8.1 – Operational Control
• 8.2 – Emergency Preparation and Response

Mandatory records for ISO 14001:2015

The following mandatory records are required:

• 7.2 – Records of Training, Skills, Experience and Qualifications
• 7.4 – Evidence of Communication
• 9.1.1 – Monitoring and Measurement Results
• 9.1.2 – Evidence of the Compliance Evaluation Result(s)
• 9.2 – Internal Audit Program
• 9.2 – Results of Internal Audits
• 9.3 – Results of the Management Review
• 10.2 – Results of Corrective Actions

Suggested documented information that is often used

Below is a list of documents that will enhance your Environmental Management System and are often used within a typical organization.

• 4.1/4.2 – Determining the context of the organization and interested parties
• 6.1.1/6.1.2 – Identification and Evaluation of Environmental Aspects and Risks
• 7.2/7.3 – Competence, training, and awareness
• 7.4 – Evidence on EMS Communications
• 7.5 – Control of Documents and Records
• 9.1.1 – Monitoring & Measurement
• 9.1.2 – Evaluation of Compliance (Legal & Other Requirements)
• 9.2 – Internal audit procedure
• 9.3 – Management review procedure
• 10.2 – Nonconformity and corrective action procedure

Whilst documented procedures aren’t mandatory, it is good practice to ensure all staff within the organization are following the same instructions for consistency and quality.

Creating ISO14001 documents

How organizations create their mandatory documents for ISO 14001:2015 depends on various aspects, such as timelines, staff skillset and budget. The three most common ways of creating documentation are writing internally, using a document toolkit or hiring an ISO 14001 consultant to work with your team to develop the documentation and management system.

Using a document toolkit (such as CertiKit’s ISO 14001 toolkit) can save time and money, and provides staff with the resources to implement the standard internally. The ISO 14001 toolkit includes more than 70 pre-written templates and guides to assist an Environmental Management System implementation, including mandatory document templates and more to help organizations prepare for a successful certification audit.

This article was published in September 2022, and updated in November 2023. 

More ISO14001 Resources

CertiKit is a provider of ISO toolkits, consultancy and internal auditing services, and has helped more than 4000 organizations worldwide with their compliance.

For more guidance on implementing the ISO14001:2015 standard, we’ve put together a list of our best free resources including sample documents, blogs and downloadable documents.

Free ISO14001 Resources