Business benefits of ISO 14000

This section identifies typical benefits for organizations of implementing ISO 14000 standards.

Most managers will try to avoid pollution that could cost the company a fine for infringing environmental legislation. But better managers will agree that doing only just enough to keep the company out of trouble with government inspectors is a rather weak and reactive approach to business in today's environment-conscious world.

The ISO 14000 standards are practical tools for the manager who is not satisfied with mere compliance with legislation – which may be perceived as a cost of doing business. They are for the proactive manager with the vision to understand that implementing a strategic approach can bring return on investment in environment-related measures.

The systematic ISO 14001:2004 approach requires the organization to take a hard look at all areas where its activities have an environmental impact. And it can lead to benefits like the following:

• reduced cost of waste management
• savings in consumption of energy and materials
• lower distribution costs
• improved corporate image among regulators, customers and the public
• framework for continual improvement of environmental performance.

The manager who is "too busy managing the business" to listen to good sense about environmental management could actually be costing the business, instead of achieving benefits like those above.