How To Get ISO 14001 Certification In Malaysia
If you’re a business operating in Malaysia and are looking to demonstrate your commitment to environmental sustainability, obtaining ISO 14001 certification is a significant step forward.
About ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS)
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS), providing a framework for organizations to identify and manage their environmental impacts, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and continually improve environmental performance.
ISO 14001 applies to diverse industries, company sizes and geographic locations. Whether you’re a manufacturing powerhouse, a service-oriented enterprise, or a small-scale business, ISO 14001 offers a flexible structure to customize environmental management approaches based on your unique requirements and circumstances.
By implementing ISO14001, companies can enhance operational efficiency, reduce waste and resource consumption, and minimize risks associated with environmental incidents or non-compliance. Moreover, businesses that implement ISO 14001 can enhance reputation, gain a competitive edge in the marketplace, and open doors to new business opportunities, as stakeholders increasingly prioritize sustainability in supplier selection and investment decisions.
Just like the ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 have provided the framework to achieve better quality and safety management, ISO 14001 helps create the necessary pathway for improving the environmental management of an organization through utilizing a Plan-Do-Check-Act model.
Overview of ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is made up of a set of elements that consist of:
- Environmental policy: Creating a clear statement of the organization’s commitment and aim to protect the environment.
- Environmental impact assessment: Identify and evaluate any potential environmental impacts that are the results of the organization’s activities.
- Environmental objectives and targets: Create a specific and measurable objective to improve the organization’s environmental performance.
- Implementation and controls: Implement the necessary procedures and best practices to manage environmental performance across the organization’s operations.
- Monitoring and measurement: Track and record the environmental performance through continuous data collection and analysis.
- Continuous improvement: Regularly review and update the EMS and the set objectives to continuously improve the environmental performance of the organization.
Requirements for ISO 14001 Certification
To achieve ISO 14001 certification, the organization must meet several key requirements. These include:
- Developing and implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS)
- Conduct a comprehensive environmental impact assessment
- Set objectives and targets for environmental management
- Continuously monitor and measure environmental performance
- Continually improve the EMS based on regular evaluations and reviews.
- Top management will need to show leadership and commitment to the establishment of the environmental policy.
- Ensuring compliance with all the environmental laws and regulations that apply.
Benefits of Getting ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) Certification
Getting an ISO 14001 certification would not only improve your organization’s credibility and reputation, it can also provides other benefits that includes:
- Improve environmental performance and resource efficiency
- Environmental impacts are being measured
- Reduce waste management cost through waste reduction and resource optimization
- Enhance compliance with environmental regulations and legal requirements
- Reduce environmental liability and avoid any possible fines by national government authority
- Increase employees and customers’ confidence and trust
- Access to new business opportunities and expand to “green markets”
- Build a stronger brand reputation and competitive advantages
How To Get ISO 14001 Certification In Malaysia
To achieve ISO 14001 certification in Malaysia, businesses are advised to undertake a systematic approach encompassing the following steps:
- Initial Baseline Assessment: Initiate the process with a comprehensive assessment of your current environmental management practices against the ISO 14001 standards. This assessment should meticulously evaluate your organization’s existing strengths and weaknesses, identifying pivotal areas for improvement that directly impact environmental performance.
- System Planning: Develop a comprehensive plan tailored for the seamless integration of ISO 14001 within your organization. This plan should delineate clear roles and responsibilities, establish concrete objectives and targets for enhancing environmental performance, and meticulously chart the pathways required to secure ISO 14001 certification.
- Create Awareness By Training: Create awareness within your organization by providing training on ISO 14001 requirements, environmental management principles, and the benefits of certification. Ensure that employees at all levels understand their roles in implementing and maintaining the EMS.
- System Development: Develop the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS). Establish policies, procedures, and objectives to address environmental aspects and impacts, ensuring alignment with ISO 14001 standards.
- System Adequacy Review: Conduct a thorough review of the developed EMS to ensure its adequacy and effectiveness in addressing ISO 14001 requirements and organizational objectives. Identify any gaps or areas that need improvement and make necessary adjustments to ensure it is aligned with the ISO standards.
- Implementation And Monitoring: Implement the planned environmental management practices and procedures across your organization, regularly track progress towards achieving environmental objectives and targets, make adjustments as needed to maintain compliance and drive improvement continuously.
- Internal Audit And Management Review: Conduct internal audits of the implemented EMS to assess compliance with ISO 14001 requirements and identify opportunities for improvement. Use audit findings to drive corrective actions and enhance the effectiveness of the EMS.
- Certification Preparation: As the final stage, prepare your organization for ISO 14001 certification by engaging a certification body. Ensure that all documentation, records, and evidence of EMS implementation are organized and readily available for review. Collaborate closely with the certification body throughout the audit process. Upon successful completion of the audit, celebrate your achievement of ISO 14001 certification and continue to maintain environmental excellence within your organization. Regner Consulting’s role encompasses steps 1-8, ensuring your company’s readiness for the certification audit.
Why Regner Consulting
When dealing with the challenges of obtaining ISO certification, partnering with a trusted consulting firm can make all the difference. Regner Consulting is committed at providing a helping hand to our clients by providing a comprehensive range of ISO 14001 consulting and training for organizations to successfully obtain and maintain the ISO certification.
Top 6 Reasons why you should partner with Regner Consulting:
- Award Winning ISO Consultants
Regner Consulting is proud to be recognized as one of the Top 10 ISO Consultants in Southeast Asia for 2023. This esteemed award is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our proven track record of delivering outstanding results for our clients. - Expert Guidance And Support
Our team provides expert guidance and support throughout your ISO certification journey. From initial assessment to post-certification maintenance, we’re with you every step of the way, ensuring that you achieve and sustain ISO compliance with confidence. - Cutting-Edge Technology
Leveraging the latest tools and technologies, we streamline the ISO implementation process, making it efficient, cost-effective, and minimally disruptive to your business operations. - Transparent Pricing
No hidden charges. Our training are HRD Corp claimable courses, offering significant savings for your organization. Additionally, we provide assistance in claiming double tax deductions for certification fees. - 100% Success Rate
Our clients have achieved a 100% pass rate for ISO certification on their first application. - Long term Vitality
Proven by our ISO survey, our management system is simple to implement, cuts waste, enhances processes, and guarantees sustainable, long-term vitality for current and future challenges.
Summary
Obtaining ISO 14001 certification in Malaysia is a strategic move for businesses committed to environmental sustainability and responsible business practices. By implementing an effective EMS and partnering with a reputable consulting firm, organizations can enhance your environmental performance, gain a competitive edge, and contribute to a greener future for Malaysia.
If you want to know more about how to obtain ISO 14001 certification in Malaysia, feel free to contact us. Our ISO experts will provide you with the necessary guidance to navigate the certification process effectively.
Frequently Asked Question
1. How long would it take to implement ISO 14001?
The duration will depend on the knowledge, resources, and expertise of the people involved in implementing the standards. However, the general consensus is it would take around 6 months to a year to fully implement ISO 14001 for most organizations.
2. How long will the certification be valid for?
As with other ISO certifications, the ISO 14001 certification is valid for three years from the date of approval. Two surveillance audits will be conducted in a gap of one year during this validity period to verify you’re meeting the requirements for the standards. You will need to recertify once the 3 years validity period has ended.
3. What are the costs associated with getting and maintaining ISO 14001 certification?
There are several costs associated with getting the certifications for your organization. This includes:
Consultancy fees for developing and implementing the EMS in your organization.
Certification fees for the assessment, surveillance audits, and recertification audits once every 3 years.
Internal running costs for maintaining the EMS.
Environment Monitoring such as Ambient Air Monitoring, Boundary Noise Monitoring, Air Emission Monitoring, Water Discharge, etc.
4. What are the courses related to getting an ISO 14001 certifications?
There are two courses provided by us that are related to ISO 14001 certifications, which are “ISO 14001 Awareness and Requirements Training” and “ISO 14001 Internal Auditor Training”. These courses will help your organization improve the knowledge and awareness of the standards and help achieve the ISO 14001 certifications.