Similarities and Differences
of ISO 14000 and ISO 9000
Structurally, the ISO 14000 and ISO 9000 standards have much in
common. Both require written plans, although ISO 14001 calls for environmental planning
that includes legal and other requirements, objective and targets, and environmental
management programs.
In the area of implementation and operation, the ISO 9001 standard includes requirements
for organization, training, quality systems procedures, and document and data control.
The biggest addition to the ISO 14001 standard is for emergency preparedness and
response. Both standards are similar in their requirements for checking and corrective
action, management review, and internal auditing.
Management‘s responsibilities are more extensive under ISO 14001. The standard includes
the drafting of an environmental policy, consideration of environmental aspects
in all management activities, setting environmental objectives and targets, establishment
of an external communication procedure (described later), and development of a management
review process for environment-related matters. Requirements for the development
of a management system under ISO 14001 are very similar to the ISO 9001 standard,
although the differences between the two was the main topic of conversation when
the world‘s representatives met in Seoul, Korea earlier this year.
If your business is already registered to ISO 9001, you probably have 75 to 80 percent
of the management structure in place to conform to the ISO 14001 standard. What
remains to be accomplished is the planning and implementation of environmental objectives
and targets. However, the environmental personnel in your business may not know
about quality management systems and may need to master the appropriate policies
and procedures.
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The decision to pursue ISO 14001 certification involves
a substantial commitment of time and resources. Smithers Quality Assessments
recognizes that this is a very personal decision requiring a solution tailored
to your needs. To arrange for a SQA representative to review your certification
needs, contact us at 330-762-4231
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