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Overview

Organizations, whether public or private, large or small, in developed or in emerging economies, have an impact on the environment and can be affected by the environment in return. The organization's impact may be caused by consumption of resources or pollution, and the impact on the organization may be based on issues such as climate change. These impacts are awakening a growing understanding that the yield and success of human activity depend on the preservation and protection of our natural heritage, that is, the resources on which all human productivity depends. The aim of this International Standard is to provide organizations with guidance for a common framework, in order to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve a system to support better environmental management. This should contribute to the long-term viability of the organization and the overall objective of sustainable development in line with its social and economic elements. DIN EN ISO 14004 provides guidelines for the establishment, implementation, maintenance and improvement of an environmental management system that can be integrated into the core business processes of an organization. While the guidance in this International Standard is consistent with the ISO 14001 environmental management system model, it is not intended to provide interpretations of the requirements of ISO 14001. In contrast to DIN EN ISO 14001, DIN EN ISO 14004 does not set any testable requirements, but provides non-binding guidance on setting up, implementing, maintaining and improving an environmental management system. DIN EN ISO 14004 is therefore an independent document which can be used without the introduction of a formal environmental management system according to DIN EN ISO 14001. DIN EN ISO 14004 is therefore an independent document that can be used without the introduction of a formal environmental management system according to DIN EN ISO 14001. This makes the standard a valuable aid for small and medium-sized companies in particular. However, DIN EN ISO 14001 shall be used exclusively as the basis for certification of an environmental management system. Examples and procedures are given in DIN EN ISO 14004 for illustrative purposes. Practical Help Boxes provide additional information to support the text contained in this standard. In revision of the International Standard ISO 14004:2016 by ISO/TC 207/SC 1 "Environmental management systems", NA 172-00-02 AA "Environmental management systems/Environmental audit" of the Standards Committee Principles of Environmental Protection (NAGUS) was actively involved in the standardization work on the German side. NA 172-00-02 AA regards the combination of DIN EN ISO 14001 and DIN EN ISO 14004 as a basis on which many companies and organizations interested in introducing an environmental management system can advance optimization of their environmental performance in a practice-oriented manner.

Document: references other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 172-00-02 AA - Environmental management/Environmental audit  

Responsible european committee

CEN/BT - BT Technical Board