The ISO 14001 standard is a set of regulations concerning the organisation of an environmental management system in enterprises and institutions, taking into account environment protection. A significant objective of the standard is to support environment protection activities of enterprises that can prevent pollution. The ISO 14001:2015 standard is not diametrically different from its previous version, yet more emphasis is placed on aspects related to environment protection, risk management, communication, objectives, leadership and an approach consistent with product life cycles.
An organisation in which this standard is implemented takes more responsibility for environmental protection. It should consider its impact on the environment from the product life cycle perspective, as well as the factors related to the use and end of use of a product that can have a potential impact on the environment.
It is the obligation of the top management to show commitment to an environmental management system and to promote it throughout organisations. The top management is responsible for the effectiveness of an environmental management system.