What is ISO 50001?
ISO 50001 sets out the requirements for an Energy Management System (EnMS), helping organisations establish the systems and processes needed to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use and consumption.
The current edition is ISO 50001:2018. Its distinctive feature is the requirement to demonstrate measurable, continual improvement in energy performance against an energy baseline using energy performance indicators.
In the UK, ISO 50001 certification provides a route to compliance with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) and is widely used by energy-intensive organisations to cut cost and carbon and to evidence sustainability commitments.
How to get ISO 50001 certified
- Conduct an energy review to establish your baseline and significant energy uses.
- Set energy performance indicators, objectives and an action plan.
- Implement the EnMS, including monitoring, measurement and operational controls.
- Operate the system and demonstrate improvement against the baseline.
- Run internal audits and management review.
- Certify with a UKAS-accredited body and 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 50001 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).
- Sub-metering and monitoring infrastructure is a common capital cost that sits outside the audit fee.
- ISO 50001 certification can offset ESOS compliance costs, which improves the business case.
- Audit length scales with the number and energy intensity of sites.
To get a tailored figure for your organisation, use our free calculator:
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