ISO 50001 : ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
What is ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ?
What is ISO 50001?
ISO 50001 is an international standard that provides a framework for organizations to manage their energy performance and improve their energy efficiency. It is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, which involves setting energy objectives and targets, implementing energy policies and action plans, monitoring and measuring energy performance, and reviewing and improving energy management. ISO 50001 can help organizations reduce their energy costs, greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental impacts, as well as enhance their competitiveness and reputation.
ISO 50001 is a standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a global network of national standards bodies that sets voluntary guidelines for various aspects of quality, safety, performance and sustainability. ISO 50001 was first published in 2011 and revised in 2018. It provides a framework of requirements for organizations to:
– Develop an energy policy that reflects their commitment to improving energy performance
– Set energy objectives and targets that are measurable and achievable
– Use data to analyze and monitor their energy use and identify opportunities for improvement
– Implement action plans to achieve their energy goals and address any gaps or risks
– Review and evaluate their energy performance and the effectiveness of their energy management system (EnMS)
– Continually improve their energy performance and their EnMS
ISO 50001 follows the high-level structure of other ISO management system standards, such as ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management), making it easier for organizations to integrate them.
How does ISO 50001 work?
ISO 50001 is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a flexible and adaptable tool that can be tailored to the specific needs and context of each organization. It does not prescribe specific energy performance criteria or targets, but rather guides organizations to establish their own baseline, benchmarks and indicators, based on their energy consumption, sources, costs and impacts.
ISO 50001 can be applied to any type of organization, regardless of its size, sector, location or level of maturity. It can cover all aspects of energy use, from procurement and generation to distribution and consumption. It can also address different types of energy, such as electricity, gas, oil, steam, heat, cooling, renewable or waste.
To implement ISO 50001, organizations need to follow these steps:
– Conduct an energy review to assess their current energy situation, identify significant energy uses and determine their energy performance indicators (EnPIs)
– Establish an energy baseline to measure their energy performance against a reference point
– Define an energy policy that outlines their vision, mission, goals and responsibilities for energy management
– Form an energy team that will oversee the implementation and maintenance of the EnMS
– Develop an EnMS manual that documents the scope, processes, procedures and resources of the EnMS
– Plan and execute energy action plans that specify the actions, timelines, responsibilities and resources needed to achieve the energy objectives and targets
– Monitor and measure the energy performance and the EnMS activities using appropriate methods and tools
– Audit the EnMS internally and externally to verify its conformity with ISO 50001 and its effectiveness in achieving the desired results
– Review the EnMS periodically at the top management level to evaluate its suitability, adequacy and continual improvement
– Update the EnMS as needed to reflect any changes in the organization’s context, needs or expectations
Benefits of ISO 50001 certification to your organization:
ISO 50001 can bring various benefits to organizations that adopt it, such as:
- Saving money by reducing energy costs and increasing operational efficiency
- Enhancing reputation by demonstrating social responsibility and environmental commitment
- Improving competitiveness by gaining a competitive edge and accessing new markets
- Complying with legal and regulatory requirements by meeting or exceeding energy-related laws and standards
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by lowering their carbon footprint and mitigating climate change impacts
- Fostering innovation by stimulating new ideas and technologies for energy optimization
- Engaging stakeholders by involving employees, customers, suppliers and partners in energy management activities
- Improving risk management by identifying and addressing potential energy-related risks and opportunities
Benefits of ISO 50001 certification to your customers:
- Sustainability
- Energy cost reductions
- Green Manufacturing
- Less polluted, healthier, and safer environment
- Quality product and services
- Energy efficiency
How to get certified to ISO 50001?
ISO 50001 is a voluntary standard that organizations can choose to implement for their own benefit or to demonstrate their compliance to external parties. Certification is not mandatory, but it can provide an independent verification of the organization’s conformity with ISO 50001 and its achievement of its energy goals.
ISO does not perform certification itself, but delegates this task to accredited certification bodies that operate according to ISO/IEC 17021-1, a standard that specifies the requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems. Certification bodies conduct audits of the organization’s EnMS using ISO 50003, a standard that specifies the audit process, criteria and competencies.
To get certified to ISO 50001, organizations need to:
- Select a suitable certification body that is accredited by a recognized accreditation body and has experience and expertise in the relevant sector and energy domain
- Apply for certification and provide the necessary information and documentation to the certification body
- Prepare for the audit by ensuring that the EnMS is fully implemented, documented and effective
- Undergo the audit, which consists of two stages: a document review and an on-site assessment
- Receive the audit report, which contains the audit findings, conclusions and recommendations
- Correct any nonconformities or deficiencies identified by the audit and provide evidence of their resolution
- Obtain the certificate, which is valid for three years and subject to surveillance audits and renewal audits