WHAT IS ISO 14001?

ISO 14001 is an international standard that defines criteria for the environmental management systems. It is used to increase the resource use efficiency. The range of main tasks also includes reducing the impact of businesses activities on the environment. Application of the standard allows controlling the environmental aspects of the company activities. It is a voluntary one and is designed to enable businesses to improve their environmental performance without violating applicable laws or losing production profitability. It is a kind of tool to help companies to achieve specific goals. It was ISO 14001 that became the basis for the development of a whole series of ISO 14000 standards. This standard promotes the company understanding of exact measures to be taken to achieve its goals. The standard itself was developed at the initiative of British industrialists after they faced tightening of the environmental legislation. ISO 14001 certificate proves reliability and quality of the current environmental management system. The standard is applied to different levels and areas of a company activity, including private and public sector. Compliance with all its requirements contributes to positive image of a company. Moreover, there is an opportunity to expand the sales market and increase a flow of investments. The certificate proves that the organization pays great attention to the environmental protection issues. If the company obtains this document, it increases its competitiveness and the number of loyal customers.

 ISO 14001 certification consists of the following stages:

- identifying a certification scope;

- a diagnostic audit. A preliminary assessment is carried out for the compliance of the environmental management system with the requirements specified in the standard;

- a certification audit. At this stage the company's readiness for certification is checked, and the effectiveness of the EMS is analyzed.

If all the standards and requirements are met, the organization receives a certificate valid for three years. Upon expiration of this period, re-certification is carried out. The company "V-Center Ltd." has successfully passed all stages of certification and received an official document recognized at the international level, proving implementation of successful environmental activities.