ISO 50001 sets out the criteria for an Energy Management System. It can be applied to organisation in all industries and of all sizes, although it is most suited to organisations which have many and significant energy-using activities and processes.
ISO 50001 is based on the management system model of continual improvement – the ‘Plan-Do-Check-Act’ framework, a model it shares with other standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. This common structure allows for a simplified approach in integrating an ISO 50001 Energy Management System with existing ISO management systems, such as quality, environmental and occupational health and safety.
An effective energy management system can result in reduced energy costs, greater productivity and enhanced third party confidence in matters such as regulatory compliance and carbon reduction.
In addition to the typical ISO requirements of internal audit, management review and risk-based thinking, processes expected of an energy management system include:
Energy reviews: For your organisation to identify its energy types and understand its energy consumption, a comprehensive energy review of past and current energy uses must be planned and undertaken regularly. This will allow your organisation to identify its Significant Energy Uses, or SEUs.
Maintenance of facilities, equipment and systems: To ensure that your organisation meets its energy objectives and targets, particularly those linked to its SEUs, the ongoing and effective operation of its facilities, equipment and systems must be well controlled.
Measurement and verification (M&V): The M&V process is the means by which your organisation collects, measures and analyses data from its facilities, equipment and systems to realise where energy improvements are being made and, by extension, where energy savings are being made.
Evaluation of legal compliance: As with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems, any organisation with an Energy Management System is required to understand its statutory and regulatory requirements and evaluate compliance with these same requirements at regular intervals, with records retained demonstrating the same.
For further information on the ISO 50001 standard and its implementation, please refer to the link below:
https://www.iso.org/iso-50001-energy-management.html
If you are interested in obtaining certification to ISO 50001, you can complete our online application at the link below:
https://www.eqa.ie/request-a-quotation/management-system-certification/
If you have any questions you can contact us at info@eqa.ie or by calling our number on 01-4734188.