EPA Standards Network Fact Sheet
ISO 14000: International Environmental Management Standards
In recent years, there has been heightened international interest
in and commitment to improved environmental management practices
by both the public and private sectors. This interest is
reflected in the success of collaborative international efforts
to address environmental problems and in the global recognition
of trade-related environmental issues. The Montreal Protocol,
the environmental side agreements of the North American Free
Trade Agreement and the mandates resulting from the 1992 Earth
Summit of the United National Conference on Environment and
Development in Rio de Janeiro are some of the successes.
Another indication of the interest in improved environmental
practices is the emergence of voluntary environmental management
standards developed by national standards bodies throughout the
world. To address the growing need for an international
consensus approach, ISO, the International Organization for
Standardization, has undertaken the development of international
voluntary environmental management standards through ISO
Technical Committee 207. ISO's 14000 series Environmental
Management Standards are expected to have a significant impact on
trade in the same way that the ISO 9000 series Quality Management
Standards have.
The U.S. EPA has a long-standing interest in promoting improved
environmental management practices from its 1986 environmental
auditing Policy Statement to its recent Environmental Leadership
and Common Sense Initiatives.
What is ISO?
ISO is a private sector, international standards body based in
Geneva, Switzerland. Founded in 1947, ISO promotes the
international harmonization and development of manufacturing,
product and communications standards. ISO has promulgated more
than 8,000 internationally accepted standards for everything from
paper sizes to film speeds. More than 120 countries belong to
ISO as full voting members, while several other countries serve
as observer members. The United States is a full voting member
and is officially represented by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI).
ISO produces internationally harmonized standards through a
structure of Technical Committees (TCs). The TCs usually divide
into Subcommittees which are further subdivided in Working Groups
where the actual standards writing occurs.
What Are ISO's Environmental Management Standards?
ISO's Environmental Management Standards (EMS) are a series of
voluntary standards and guideline reference documents which
include environmental management systems, eco-labeling,
environmental auditing, life cycle assessment, environmental
performance evaluation, and environmental aspects in product
standards. The focus on þmanagementþ distinguishes these
standards from þperformanceþ standards. EMS help an organization
to establish and meet its own policy goals through objectives and
targets, organizational structures and accountability, management
controls and review functions all with top management oversight.
EMS do not set requirements for environmental compliance nor do
these standards establish requirements for specific levels of
pollution prevention or performance. The Environmental
Management Systems specification document calls for environmental
policies which include a commitment to both compliance with
environmental laws and prevention of pollution.
How is ISO Developing Environmental Management Standards?
In August 1991, ISO established a Strategic Advisory Group (SAGE)
to assess the need for international environmental management
standards and to recommend an overall strategic plan for such
standards. SAGE was asked to consider whether environmental
management standards could serve to:
* Promote a common approach to environmental management similar
to ISO 9000 Quality Management Standards
* Enhance an organization's ability to attain and measure
environmental performance; and
* Facilitate trade and remove trade barriers.
In 1992, based on the SAGE findings, ISO formed Technical
Committee #207 (TC-207) for Environmental Management Standards.
Currently, 47 countries have signed on to TC-207 as full voting
members, with an additional 13 countries as observers. The U.S.,
which is voting member, participates in the process through a
Technical Advisory Group (TAG). Under delegated authority from
ANSI, the TAG is administered by the American Society for Testing
and Materials (ASTM).
Figure 1 shows the structure of TC-207 which has six
subcommittees, each containing several working groups, plus one
working group on Environmental Aspects in Product Standards that
reports directly to the full TC-207.
How Does ISO 14000 Relate to TC-207?
ISO assigns a document numbering system to each Technical
Committee. Standards produced by TC-207 are assigned the 14000
designation. For example, the Environmental Management Systems
(EMS) Guidance Standard will become ISO 14000. The EMS
specification document will become ISO 14001. Each subsequently
completed ISO standard from this TC will have a 14000
designation.
When Will the ISO Standards Be Completed?
The following are targeted completion dates:
* The EMS specification and guidance standards May 1996
* Principles of Environmental Auditing July 1996
* Eco-labeling Principles and Practices End of 1996
* Environmental Performance Evaluation 1998
* Life Cycle Assessment 1997-1998
Who From the U.S. May Participate?
The process is completely open and any interested party may
participate. Industry, government, small and medium sized
businesses, academia and environmental groups currently make up
the U.S. TAG membership. Environmental groups, small and medium
sized businesses are specifically encouraged to become more
involved. Figure 2 shows the structure of the U.S. TAG and
provides the names and phone numbers of the U.S. SubTAG chairs.
What Is the EPA Standards Network?
The EPA Standards Network is the means by which the Agency
participates, with full voting membership, in the U.S. Technical
Advisory Group (TAG) to TC-207. Through the Network, the
official EPA representatives to the U.S. TAG disseminate
information throughout the Agency and coordinate EPA comments on
the documents in development. Figure 2 shows the structure of
the U.S. TAG and identifies the principle EPA contacts for the
TAG and the SubTags, along with the U.S. chairperson.
Where Can I Get More Information:
For additional information, contact:
Steven Cornish
ANSI
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
212-642-4969
Rose Tomasello
ASTM
1916 Race Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-299-5487
Mary C. McKiel
EPA Standards Network
OPPT-7409
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Telephone: 202-260-3584
FAX: 202-260-0178
mckiel.maryaepamail.epa.gov
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Last Updated: March 13, 1997