When deciding to implement and certify to ISO 14001:2015 for an Environmental Management System (EMS), you’re going to need to have some required documentation in place. So, how many documents are mandatory and what are they?
We’ve put together a list of mandatory documents for ISO 14001:2015 advised by our compliance consultants, and categorised by documents and records. We’ve also included a list of suggested documents too for a successful EMS.
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 organisation.
4.1/4.2 – Determining the context of the organisation 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 organisation are following the same instructions for consistency and quality.
Creating ISO14001 documents
How organisations 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 a comprehensive set of expertly created pre-written templates and guides to assist an Environmental Management System implementation, including mandatory document templates and more to help organisations prepare for a successful certification audit.
