Quite a few organizations do not think about the environment when they do not develop their business in a sustainable manner. They do not worry about environmental management systems that can provide everyone with immense benefits. The ISO environmental management system [EMS] a standard, which was first published in 1986, is perhaps the best method that can be used because of the systematic framework it has in order to manage the immediate and long-term impact on the environment by the products of an organization. It also considers services and processes that are provided by the organization.

ISO 14001 is part of the ISO 14000 family and is recognized as the cornerstone of this process of standardization and is also known as ISP environmental. Certification by ISO 14001 provides the framework for the management of the environment and the best practices to be employed by organizations that are looking forward to getting certified. The process of getting certified for ISO 14001 considers several aspects. Some of them are as follows:

• Minimizing the environmental footprint of the organization.
• Diminishing the risks of incidents of pollution.
• Providing improvements of the operational kind.
• Ensuring that organizations comply with the relevant legislation for environmental requirements.
• Helping the organization develop their business in a manner that is sustainable.

Organizations that are looking forward to getting certified cannot have an opinion that they will easily be able to obtain the certification because this is a journey which involves several stages. The stages will take a period of time before they are completed, and it will be helpful for organizations to enlist assistance from an ISO 14001 consulting company if they intend to go through the process as designated by ISO.

That will be an initial assessment to determine whether the organization has met the mandatory requirements of the standard and to understand whether the management system they have is capable of proceeding to the second stage of the certification.

A second assessment to determine whether the management is implementing the system effectively to operational standards will also be held.

A recommendation for the certification will only be given after the first two stages of the assessments are completed. A review of any corrective measures that were required during the initial stages and the actions taken will also be measured after which the organization can be recommended for the certification.

Files belonging to the organization are reviewed by independent and external audits and only thereafter is a decision for the certification made.

The organization receives information about whether they have been successfully certified and the certificate be issued only after these stages have been completed.

Organizations applying for the certification could very well get the feeling that this is a tedious process, which they should rather stay away from. However, they will get to understand the benefits of ISO 14001 if they contact an ISO 14001 consultant that will be able to give them all the details along with information about how they stand to benefit after they have been certified. Organizations will understand they are not only making an effort to improve the standards within but also make it possible for all concerned to lead a better life just by deciding they want to be certified as ISO 14001 compliant. It would be a decision they will never regret at any time.