What is ISO 14001?
ISO 14001 sets out the requirements for an Environmental Management System (EMS), giving organisations a framework to identify, manage, monitor and reduce their environmental impacts in a systematic way.
The current edition is ISO 14001:2015. It uses the same high-level structure (Annex SL) as ISO 9001, which makes the two straightforward to integrate. It requires organisations to understand their environmental aspects, comply with relevant legislation, set objectives, and demonstrate continual improvement.
In the UK, ISO 14001 is widely used to evidence environmental credentials in tendering, to support compliance with environmental regulations, and increasingly as a foundation for wider carbon and ESG reporting.
How to get ISO 14001 certified
- Identify your environmental aspects and impacts and your legal obligations.
- Set an environmental policy and measurable objectives.
- Build the EMS, including operational controls and emergency preparedness.
- Operate the system, monitor performance, and keep records.
- Run internal audits and a management review.
- Use a UKAS-accredited body for Stage 1 and Stage 2 assessment, then maintain via surveillance and three-yearly re-certification.
Choosing a certification body
For a certificate to carry weight, choose a body accredited by UKAS, the UK's national accreditation body. Accredited certification is recognised by customers and procurement teams; unaccredited certificates often are not. Get quotes from at least three bodies, as fees vary.
How much does ISO 14001 certification cost?
There is no single price — total cost depends on your organisation's size, how much you already have in place, the number of sites, and whether you use a consultant. Broadly, the cost splits into three parts: implementation (building the system), the certification audit (paid to the certification body), and ongoing costs (annual surveillance and a three-yearly re-certification).
- Audit duration is similar to ISO 9001 but slightly higher where significant environmental aspects (waste, emissions, hazardous materials) need sampling.
- Legal-register maintenance and compliance evaluation are recurring internal costs.
- Often integrated with ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 as a single combined audit to cut total cost.
To get a tailored figure for your organisation, use our free calculator:
Open the ISO 14001 cost calculator →