Purpose and Scope:

ISO 14001:2015 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. This international standard is intended to be utilized by organizations seeking to manage their environmental responsibilities in a systematic manner that contributes to the pillar of environmental sustainability.

ISO 14001:2015 assists organizations in achieving the intended outcomes of their environmental management system, which provide value for the environment, the organization itself, and interested parties. Consistent with the organization's environmental policy, the intended outcomes of the environmental management system encompass:

•  Improving environmental performance
• Fulfilling compliance obligations
• Achieving environmental objectives

ISO 14001:2015 is applicable to any organization, regardless of its size, type, and nature, and it applies to the environmental aspects of its activities, products, and services that the organization determines it can control or influence by considering the life cycle perspective. This international standard does not specify specific environmental performance criteria.

ISO 14001:2015 can be used in its entirety or partially for systematic environmental management improvement. However, claims of conformity to this international standard are not acceptable until all its requirements are included in the organization's environmental management system and fulfilled without exception.