Transition to ISO 14001: 2015 standard

MAIN CHANGES IN ISO 14001:2015

• 1. An explicit requirement for risk based thinking to support and improve the understanding and application of the process approach.
  2. Fewer prescribed requirements.
  3. Less emphasis on documents.
  4. Improved applicability for services.
  5. Increased emphasis on organizational context.
  6. Greater emphasis on achieving desired outcomes to improve customer satisfaction.

  TRANSITION PERIOD AND VALIDITY:

  1. ISO 14001:2015 was published on 15^th September 2015.The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has agreed to a three years transition period from the publication date of ISO 14001:2015 ie till 15^th September 2018.
  2. The ISO 14001:2004 will not be valid after three years from publication of ISO 14001:2015 ie after 15^th September 2018.
  3. The expiry date of certification to ISO 14001:2004 issued during the transition period corresponds to the end of the three year transition period i.e. 15^th September 2018.

  CERTIFICATION GUIDELINES:

  1. All issues that require client action for compliance with the new requirements should be clearly identified and raised as documented findings.
  2. Only when all identified outstanding issues have been appropriately addressed and the effectiveness of the management system demonstrated, can the auditors recommend certification to ISO 14001:2015
  3. Records should be available to demonstrate that all prior transition audit findings have been evaluated for corrective action and compliance before any recommendation for approval to ISO 14001:2015 can be made.
  4. Evaluation of a client's conformance to the new requirements during the transition phase does not interfere with the client's on-going conformance to ISO 14001:2004.

  IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTATIONS FOR ORGANIZATIONS

  1. Identify organizational gaps which need to be addressed to meet new requirements.
  2. Develop implementation plan.
  3. Provide appropriate training and awareness for all parties that have an impact on the effectiveness of the organization.
  4. Update existing EMS to meet the revised requirements and provide verification of effectiveness.
  5. Where applicable liaise with Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications for transition arrangements.

  Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications PLAN FOR VERIFYING CLIENTS TRANSITION TO ISO 14001:2015:

  
  

  Process for Existing Clients:

  1. Download the Guidance document “Transition to ISO 14001:2015 standard” in reference of IAF-ID 09.
  2. Communicating to the clients about Transition and Gap Analysis through Guidance document Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications-Transition Plan uploaded on the webstite of Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications.
  3. Training for Transition to ISO 14001:2015 for Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications clients (open house training only to desirous clients).
  4. The audit required to review transition to new standard can be combined with the Surveillance, Certification or Recertification Audit
  5. Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications Clients should inform about the tentative date for the audit to Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications office at the earliest. The organizations will have to implement the EMS as per ISO 14001:2015 for at least a period of six months prior to the transition audit.
  6. The Transition audit will be a two stage audit even though if it's a surveillance audit. During the audit the unclosed non conformances from previous audit will be reviewed and evaluated with reference to ISO 14001:2015.
  7. Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications will spend audit duration equal to recertification audit duration plus additional man-day as stated in the Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications Transition Plan if combined with surveillance and recertification.
  8. The Transition audit, the evaluation of the findings of the audit, closure of the non-conformances observed, evaluation of the corrective actions and compliance to ISO 14001:2015 will be checked prior to recommendation for approval to ISO 14001:2015 by Quality Systems Veritas Cerifications.
  9. The complete process should be completed prior to the expiry of ISO 14001:2004 ie till 15^th September 2018.
  10. In case the Organization fails to conform to ISO 14001:2015 during the audit but conforms to ISO 14001:2004 then the certification to ISO 14001:2004 will continue till 15^th September 2018.

Integrated Management System:

EMS may be integrated with other similar standards, Family of the management system standards viz: