Nordic Choice Hotels

ISO 14001 is based on the quality standard ISO 9001

Both standards are generic and can therefore be adapted to all types of private and public organisations.

ISO 14001 is an international standard for businesses that wish to incorporate an environmental management system into their organisation.

First the business’s environmental impact is mapped in order to establish the key impact areas and the relevant improvement measures. Then, in line with this analysis, an environmental policy and an environmental improvement programme are established incorporating environmental targets and deadlines.

In order to achieve the environmental targets, a management system must be introduced, including procedures, reporting routines, responsibility allocations, etc. The business must continually endeavour to reduce its environmental impact.

Deming’s circle describes how the ISO 14001 management system works in practice

• Establishment of environmental policy and environmental improvement programme
• Development of systems for environmental management (including procedures, routines, documentation, responsibilities)
• Introduction and operation of the system
• Checking and review
• Evaluation and improvement

ISO 14001 facilitates efficient management of the external environment by

• Reducing risk
• Ensuring reliable operation of the business
• Reducing waste and energy costs
• Addressing stakeholder concerns
• Fostering a positive impression of the business and a good reputation
• Improving marketing opportunities
• Securing compliance with legislation, regulations and own requirements, and improving practice
• Focusing on environmental aspects and impacts, processes, management and people as well as continual improvement

ISO 14001 establishes the following requirements

• All conditions in the business that affect the external environment must be identified (environmental aspects)
• The business must satisfy statutory requirements for all environmental aspects (minimum)
• The business must set its own requirements for other environmental aspects
• The business must implement controls over the environmental aspects in the form of incorporated routines
• The business must be able to document continual improvement