ISO 14001 is often seen as the corner stone standard of the ISO 14000 series.
ISO 14001 was first published in 1996 and specifies the actual requirements for an environmental management system. It applies to those environmental aspects which the organization has control and over which it can be expected to have an influence.
However, it is not only the most well known, but is the only ISO 14000 standard against which it is currently possible to be certified by an external certification authority. Having stated this, it does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria.
This standard is applicable to any organization that wishes to:
A cost control tool: an environmental management system allows you to set up preventive actions that will minimize the impact of accidents.
A tool for mobilizing your coworkers, uniting your personnel in a common project that directly improves their professional environment (health, safety, etc.).
ISO 14001 - For Whom
Organizations of all sizes and types in any industry sector, who wish, to build an environmental dimension into their business policy.An organization who wants to demonstrate their environmental sensitivity to their customer and society at large.