One of the world's most popular standards for environmental management has just been revised, with key improvements that make it fit for the future.

ISO 14001:2015, which sets out the requirements for an environmental management standard, is one of the world’s most widely used standards and a key business tool for many organizations. With more than 300 000 certificates currently issued around the world, it ranks high on the agenda of many organizations worldwide who place importance on their environmental impact.

A newly revised version has just been published, to ensure it remains relevant to the marketplace. ISO 14001:2015 responds to the latest trends, such as an increasing recognition by companies of the need to factor in both external and internal elements that influence their impact, including climate volatility.

Other key improvements in the new version include:

A greater commitment from leadership
An increased alignment with strategic direction
Greater protection for the environment, with a focus on proactive initiatives
More effective communication, driven through a communications strategy
Life-cycle thinking, considering each stage of a product or service, from development to end-of-life

The newly revised ISO 14001 reflects many changes in technology and what stakeholders expect of organizations. Being ISO 14001 also acts as a competitive advantage and something that organizations can use to distinguish themselves from their competition and providing financial advantage to realize efficiencies and improve performance.