Integrating ISO 14001 into a Quality Management System

Adopting green practices isn’t just a trend but a strategic approach towards sustainable growth as it enables tangible benefits, including cost savings, regulatory compliance, a competitive advantage, and improved employee morale. Even with all those advantages, the prospect of adopting additional standards like ISO 14001 Environmental Management (EMS) can seem daunting to many businesses who are concerned about the complexity and extra workload. Fortunately, integrating ISO 14001 into your existing Quality Management System (QMS) couldn’t be easier.  

What do ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 have in common?

The main reason ISO standards can be easily integrated together is due to them sharing a common foundation of the Annex SL structure. Annex SL follows a set of clauses that make it easier to implement multiple standards, as this shared framework means much of the requirements of ISO 14001 are already met through your ISO 9001 certification. This allows you to enhance your existing QMS with environmental management considerations without starting from scratch. Key elements already in place include:

• Identification of internal and external issues that may impact your operations
• Identification of interested parties
• Development and communication of policies
• Management of job descriptions and contracts of employment
• A risk and opportunities register
• Objective setting and the communication of these
• Competency matrix and employee training records
• Documentation control
• Internal audit schedules and reports
• Management review meetings
• Identification of non-conformance and corrective action processes

This alignment significantly reduces the effort required to implement ISO 14001. You can learn more about Annex SL here:

Adding the Environmental Element

You will be required to add a few environmental based elements to your management system:

• An Environmental Policy that reflects your commitment to the environment
• Updated roles and responsibilities to include environmental responsibility
• An Environmental Aspects and Impacts Analysis that identifies how your activities, products, or services impact the environment
• A Register of Environmental Legislation that you must comply with
• Clear Environmental Objectives
• An Emergency Preparedness and Response policy and plans to conduct regular drills.
• Ensuring the EMS is covered as part of your existing Management Review Meeting.

5 Benefits to implementing ISO 14001 Alongside ISO 9001

1. As well as maintaining quality, you will enhance your environmental performance
2. Compliance with environmental regulatory requirements, therefore reducing risk
3. Enhanced reputation with your stakeholders as you demonstrate commitment to both quality and the environment
4. Cost savings through improved resource efficiency and waste management
5. A proactive approach to identifying and mitigating environmental risks

Can other certifications be integrated into a QMS?

Absolutely. The core ISO standards follow the same Annex SL structure meaning they can be easily integrated. You can learn about integration and which ISO standards work best together in this webinar: Which ISO Standards Can Be Integrated? (isoqsltd.com)

Ready to Expand Your QMS?

To explore how we can support your integration process, whether with ISO 14001 or any other ISO standards, contact your account manager today. They can provide advice, answer your questions, and outline the steps necessary for successful implementation.