New ISO 14045 on Environmental management — Eco-efficiency assessment of product systems — Principles, requirements and guidelines

ISO has just released a new standard in the 14000 series: ISO 14045, “Environmental management — Eco-efficiency assessment of product systems — Principles, requirements and guidelines.”  Eco-efficiency assessment is a quantitative management tool which enables the study of life-cycle environmental impacts of a product system along with its product system value for a stakeholder.

The document has already been adopted by the European Union, with the official English language edition (BS EN ISO 14045) in print as well.  The standard is available in either the ISO or EN editions  from Document Center Inc. now.

Within eco-efficiency assessment, environmental impacts are evaluated using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as prescribed by other International Standards (ISO 14040, ISO 14044). Consequently, eco-efficiency assessment shares with LCA many important principles such as life cycle perspective, comprehensiveness, functional unit approach, iterative nature, transparency and priority of a scientific approach.

The value of the product system may be chosen to reflect, for example, its resource, production, delivery or use efficiency, or a combination of these. The value may be expressed in monetary terms or other value aspects.

The key objectives of ISO 14045:2012 are to:
— establish clear terminology and a common methodological framework for eco-efficiency assessment;
— enable the practical use of eco-efficiency assessment for a wide range of product (including service) systems;
— provide clear guidance on the interpretation of eco-efficiency assessment results;
— encourage the transparent, accurate and informative reporting of eco-efficiency assessment results.

This new standard, and all ISO standards, are available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  Our expert staff is here to assist you with your standards requirements and questions.

ISO 50001 2011 Edition tackles the problem of Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use

The new ISO 50001:2011 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system.  The new document, titled “Energy management systems — Requirements with guidance for use,” is expected to be adopted by the European Union as EN-ISO-50001 and will replace EN-16001.

ISO 50001:2011 specifies requirements applicable to energy use and consumption, including measurement, documentation and reporting, design and procurement practices for equipment, systems, processes and personnel that contribute to energy performance.  And Annex A provides informative guidance on its use.

The ISO standard applies to all variables affecting energy performance that can be monitored and influenced by the organization. However, it does not prescribe specific performance criteria with respect to energy.

ISO 50001 has been designed to be used independently, but it can be aligned or integrated with other management systems.

It is applicable to any organization wishing to ensure that it conforms to its stated energy policy and wishing to demonstrate this to others, such conformity being confirmed either by means of self-evaluation and self-declaration of conformity, or by certification of the energy management system by an external organization.

Energy management can reduce energy consumption, leading to:

  • Reduced energy costs
  • Reduced carbon emissions
  • A more secure supply of energy
  • Improved reputation when implemented with certification
  • ISO 50001 enables organizations to take a systematic approach to energy management. It’s goal is to help companies achieve continual improvement of energy performance, energy efficiency and energy conservation.

    Who should buy this standard?

  • Anyone who wants to reduce their energy costs, reduce carbon emissions or improve their organization’s reputation
  • Those who want a better understanding of international best practice energy management
  • Users of ISO 14001 who want to further develop their management of energy and increase their performance and savings
  • Those responsible for planning and implementing an energy management system
  • ISO 50001:2011 is available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).   We have been an authorized distributor of ISO standards since the 1990’s.

    European Risk Management Standards center on Medical Devices

    Looking for European Standards on risk management?  If you’re interested in EN standards specific to the region, you’ll find most are focused on medical devices and laboratories.  And they’re almost all adoptions of ISO and IEC standards as well!

    Here’s a list with links to the existing Official English language editions of the EN standards on Risk Management:

    EN 31010:2010 Risk management – Risk assessment techniques,

    CEN ISO/TS 22367:2010 Medical laboratories – Reduction of error through risk management and continual improvement (ISO/TS 22367:2008, including Cor 1:2009),

    EN ISO 10993-1:2009 Biological evaluation of medical devices – Part 1: Evaluation and testing within a risk management process (ISO 10993-1:2009) – Includes Corrigendum 1,

    EN ISO 22442-1:2007 Medical devices utilizing animal tissues and their derivatives – Part 1: Application of risk management (ISO 22442-1:2007),

    EN ISO 14971:2009 Medical devices – Application of risk management to medical devices (ISO 14971:2007, Corrected version 2007-10-01),

    EN 80001-1:2011 Application of risk management for IT-networks incorporating medical devices – Part 1: Roles, responsibilities and activities,

    EN ISO 17666:2003 Space systems – Risk management (ISO 17666:2003),

    EN ISO 15743:2008 Ergonomics of the thermal environment – Cold workplaces – Risk assessment and management (ISO 15743:2008),

    EN 15975-1:2011 Security of drinking water supply – Guidelines for risk and crisis management – Part 1: Crisis management, and

    EN 62305-2:2006 Protection against lightning – Part 2: Risk management.

    EN standards are not available as stand-alone items, but only as reprints by each country in the European Union, released as the EN is adopted.  The official English language editions and other national issues are all available from Document Center Inc. at our website, www.document-center.com.  You may prefer to contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We’re here from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday California time to help you with your standards requirements and questions.