ISO 50001:2018

Abstract

This document specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system (EnMS). The intended outcome is to enable an organization to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance and the EnMS.

This document:

a) is applicable to any organization regardless of its type, size, complexity, geographical location, organizational culture or the products and services it provides;

b) is applicable to activities affecting energy performance that are managed and controlled by the organization;

c) is applicable irrespective of the quantity, use, or types of energy consumed;

d) requires demonstration of continual energy performance improvement, but does not define levels of energy performance improvement to be achieved;

e) can be used independently, or be aligned or integrated with other management systems.

Annex A provides guidance for the use of this document. Annex B provides a comparison of this edition with the previous edition.

WHAT IS ISO 50001?

ISO 50001 is an international energy management system standard that gives organisations of any size a tool to systematically optimise energy performance and promote more efficient energy management.

First published in 2011, a new edition of the standard was released in August 2018.

ISO 50001:2018 has been aligned with the structure of ISO management system standards such as ISO 9001 Quality management and ISO 14001 Environmental management. The use of a common or High Level Structure (HLS) is done to ease the integration of management systems that have already been established in an organisation. Furthermore, the updated version includes a stronger emphasis on the responsibilities of top management, to instil a cultural change in the organisation.

BENEFITS OF AN ISO 50001 CERTIFICATION

ISO 50001 offers measurable cost benefits to organisations. It allows your business to achieve greater transparency and promotes best practice in energy management by demonstrating how energy is consumed throughout your value chain. The ISO 50001 energy management system framework can boost your bottom line through systematic improvements. What’s more, companies with ISO 50001 certification benefit from enhanced reputation by being able to demonstrate their environmental commitments.