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ISO 50001 Energy management systems
is an international standard created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system, whose purpose is to enable an organization to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy security, energy use and consumption.[1]
The standard aims to help organizations continually reduce their energy use, and therefore their energy costs and their greenhouse gas emissions.
ISO 50001 was originally released by ISO in June 2011 and is suitable for any organization, whatever its size, sector or geographical location.[2] The second edition, ISO 50001:2018 was released in August 2018.
The system is modelled after the ISO 9001 Quality Management System and the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) and the 2018 version has clauses modular with both.[3]
A significant feature in ISO 50001 is the requirement to "... improve the EnMS and the resulting energy performance" (clause 4.2.1 c). The other standards mentioned here (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001) both require improvement to the effectiveness of the Management System but not to the quality of the product/service (ISO 9001) or to environmental performance (ISO 14001). It is anticipated that by implementing ISO 9001 and 14001 together an organization would improve quality and environmental performance, but the standards do not currently specify this as a requirement.
ISO 50001, therefore, has made a major leap forward in raising the bar by requiring an organization to demonstrate that they have improved their energy performance. There are no quantitative targets specified – an organization chooses its own then creates an action plan to reach the targets. With this structured approach, an organization is more likely to see some tangible financial benefits,
What is ISO 50001 & why might you need ISO 50001 certification?
ISO 50001, the “Energy Management System” standard, helps reduce energy consumption costs and greenhouse gas emissions via helping organizations to use energy productively. The standard facilitates the compliance with provisions through establishing the basis of energy management in any size organization. However, organizations relying on heavy use of energy, can benefit highly from adopting this standard.
Requirements for ISO 50001 show parallels to ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001 (Environment Management System) standards, and build an efficient structure for an Energy Management System.
Implementation phases of ISO 50001 system:
The standard is based on a methodology known as PACP, or “Plan – Apply – Control – Take Precautions”:
- Plan: Determine the actions to be taken in line with provisions, goals and purposes related to energy and energy management system,
- Apply: Build the management system by using resources, set up documentation and implement the system by carrying out the related controls,
- Control: Checking the energy management system with measures and tracking programs,
- Take Precautions: Make changes and arrangements for continuous development.
Entities fulfilling the requirements of ISO 50001 and wishing to certify their system can realize it by an independent third party certification.
How can you apply or learn more?
To apply or request more information about ISO 9001 certification you can contact one of our specialists directly via the contact form below.
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