ISO 14001:2015 Clause 5.2 Environmental Policy Statement

An effective ISO 14001 policy statement is a game-changer for organizations aiming to boost sustainability and reduce environmental impact. Studies have revealed that companies implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS) can reduce waste by up to 20%. Clause 5.2 of the ISO 14001:2015 standard outlines the essential components of a policy that not only ensures compliance but drives continuous improvement in environmental performance.

Whether you're starting from scratch or refining an existing EMS, understanding the key principles of this policy statement can put your organization on a solid path toward sustainability. Let’s break down what goes into creating a meaningful ISO 14001 policy statement and why it matters for your business.

Overview of ISO 14001:2015 Clause 5.2 - Environmental Policy Statement

A clear and effective ISO 14001 policy statement is essential for any organization looking to improve its environmental impact and demonstrate commitment to sustainability. ISO 14001:2015 Clause 5.2 outlines the requirements for an Environmental Policy Statement that plays a key role in the implementation and success of an environmental management system (EMS).

The policy statement, as per Clause 5.,2 is given below:

“Top management shall establish, implement, and maintain an environmental policy that, within the defined scope of its environmental management system:

•  is appropriate to the purpose and context of the organization, including the nature, scale, and environmental impacts of its activities, products, and services;
• provides a framework for setting environmental objectives;
• includes a commitment to the protection of the environment, including prevention of pollution and other specific commitment(s) relevant to the context of the organization;

NOTE: Other specific commitment(s) to protect the environment can include sustainable resource use, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and protection of biodiversity and ecosystems.

• includes a commitment to fulfil its compliance obligations;
• includes a commitment to continual improvement of the environmental management system to enhance environmental performance.”

To understand them in detail, here’s a closer look at the key requirements of the environmental policy.

Top Management's Role in Shaping and Sustaining Environmental Policy

Clause 5, Leadership, indicates that Top management is primarily responsible for developing and ensuring the environmental policy aligns with the organization's overall objectives. According to ISO 14001:2015, the leadership team must be directly involved in the creation, review, and upkeep of the environmental policy. But who is the top management?

Jackie Stapleton, the director of ATOL, states that-

”The top management is … the person or group of people who directs and controls an organization at the highest level. I always say that top management is the decision-makers.”

From the owners and stakeholders of a small-sized company to the project managers of a mid-range company, top management can be referred to anyone who calls the shot.

They must ensure that the environmental policy is appropriate to the nature, scale, and environmental impacts of the organization’s activities. Management should also ensure that resources are available to meet the policy’s objectives and foster an organizational culture that supports environmental sustainability.

Core Principles Of ISO 14001 Policy Statements

ISO 14001 policy statement also outlines the essential commitments that must be reflected in an organization’s environmental policy statement; they are:

• Commitment to Compliance: The environmental policy must commit the organization to comply with all applicable legal and other requirements related to its environmental aspects.
• Commitment to Preventing Pollution: The policy should include a commitment to prevent pollution, which is a fundamental principle in reducing negative environmental impacts.
• Commitment to Continual Improvement: The environmental policy must express a commitment to improve the organization’s environmental performance continually.

The policy should be suitable for the organization’s context, taking into account its nature, scale, and the environmental impacts associated with its activities, products, and services. This means that organizations must assess their specific circumstances to craft a relevant policy. Tailoring the policy ensures it is both practical and meaningful, reflecting the unique challenges and opportunities the organization faces in its environmental journey.

Moreover, the environmental policy must provide a framework for setting and reviewing environmental objectives and targets. This framework guides the organization in establishing measurable goals that promote continual improvement in environmental performance. By setting clear, actionable targets, the organization can track its progress and make informed decisions to improve its environmental impact over time.

Communicating and Documenting the Environmental Policy 

ISO 14001:2015 Clause 5.2 contains 3 “shall statements” that are core to the requirements; they are:

The environmental policy shall:

1. Be maintained as documented information

This requirement ensures that the policy is not just a vague statement but is officially recorded and preserved. Documenting the environmental policy makes it accessible for review and ensures consistency over time. By having a formal document, organizations can easily track revisions, monitor their alignment with the company’s goals, and ensure that the policy is updated as necessary to reflect changes in laws, regulations, or the organization’s operational context.

Get a free consultation today with BPRHub’s Document Hub to centralize and organize your documents —making access and retrieval effortless!

2. Be communicated within the organization.

It’s not enough for the policy to exist on paper; it must be shared and understood by everyone in the organization. Communication helps ensure that all employees, from top management to operational staff, are aware of the environmental policy and understand their role in achieving the environmental objectives.

This can be done through meetings, training sessions, internal communications, and other tools to promote engagement and commitment across all levels of the company. The more the policy is communicated, the more likely it is that everyone will work together towards the environmental goals.

3. Be available to interested parties.

The policy should not only be shared internally but also made available to external stakeholders such as customers, regulators, suppliers, and the public. This accessibility fosters trust and demonstrates the organization's commitment to environmental responsibility. By making the policy available, organizations can show that they are serious about their environmental impact and are willing to hold themselves accountable for their actions.

Review and Update of Environmental Policy

ISO 14001:2015 Clause 5.2 highlights the need for regularly reviewing and updating the environmental policy to ensure its continued relevance. As the organization evolves, the policy must adapt to changes in legal requirements, business activities, and environmental impacts. The key features of the review process are: 

• Continuous Improvement:
  • The review process should be an ongoing effort aimed at assessing and improving the organization’s environmental management system.
  • Regular evaluations help adapt to changes in the operational environment.
• Integration with Business Operations:
  • The environmental policy should be integrated into core business operations.
  • Environmental considerations should be embedded into everyday decision-making, ensuring that sustainability is a central factor in all operational processes.
  • Align the organization’s growth with its environmental goals to create a sustainable business model.
• Monitoring and Reporting Mechanisms:
  • Implement systems to monitor progress toward environmental objectives.
  • Regular tracking and reporting mechanisms foster transparency and accountability.
  • These processes enable the organization to measure performance, identify areas for improvement, and take corrective actions when necessary.

Get started today with BPRHub’s Audit Hub, designed to simplify tracking, reporting, and corrective actions for seamless compliance and real-time insights!

Importance of Awareness

Creating an ISO 14001 policy statement is only the first step in building a robust environmental management system. For the policy to be truly effective, awareness across the entire organization is key. All employees, from leadership to operational staff, must understand the policy, its goals, and their role in achieving environmental objectives. When everyone is on the same page, the organization is more likely to succeed in reducing its environmental impact.

To ensure the policy is well-understood, incorporating technology, such as compliance management platforms like BPRHub, can be highly effective in streamlining communication, tracking progress, and enhancing overall environmental policy compliance. Let’s understand the best features of BPRHub in detail.

BPRHub: Implement Environment Policy With Ease

A strong ISO 14001 policy statement is essential for organizations striving to meet sustainability goals and maintain compliance with ISO 14001:2015 standards. To implement this policy effectively, BPRHub helps organizations streamline the process, ensuring that the environmental policy is documented, communicated, and updated with ease, making it easier to achieve and sustain ISO 14001:2015 compliance.

BPRHub’s Standard Hub centralizes environmental management, providing easy access and streamlined management of your ISO 14001 policy statement. Its scalability and flexibility allow manufacturers to adapt to emerging compliance challenges, while real-time compliance tracking and customizable audit checklists ensure that the organization stays on track. With automated updates for continuous compliance, BPRHub keeps your environmental policy aligned with the latest regulations, ensuring consistent progress toward your sustainability goals.

To streamline your ISO 14001 compliance and enhance your environmental policy management, contact BPRHub today and take the first step toward a more sustainable future!

FAQ’s

1. What is the ISO 14001 policy statement?

Ans: The ISO 14001 policy statement is a formal document where an organization commits to managing its environmental impact. It includes goals for pollution prevention, compliance with regulations, continual improvement, and sustainability tailored to the organization's operations and environmental context.

2. Who is responsible for developing the Environmental Policy?
Ans: Top management is responsible for creating, implementing, and maintaining the Environmental Policy, ensuring it aligns with the organization’s goals and reflects its environmental impact, scale, and resources needed for successful execution.

3. How should the Environmental Policy be communicated?
Ans: The policy must be communicated within the organization, ensuring that all employees understand it and their role in achieving its environmental objectives. Methods include training, internal communications, and meetings to promote engagement across all levels.

4. What is the purpose of an ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Policy Statement?

Ans: The policy statement ensures an organization commits to sustainability, defines its environmental objectives, prevents pollution, complies with regulations, and continually improves environmental

5. What are the benefits of using BPRHub for environmental policy compliance?

Ans: BPRHub streamlines environmental policy management by centralizing documentation, enabling easy access, real-time compliance tracking, automated updates, and customizable audit checklists, ensuring organizations stay aligned with ISO 14001 standards and improve sustainability efforts efficiently.