How Much Does ISO 14001 Certification Cost?

Cost is often the first question when exploring ISO certification – and understandably so. While fees vary by organisation and scope, you can build a realistic budget by considering key factors such as organisational size and complexity, the number of sites, in‑scope activities, expected audit time, and the current maturity of your Environmental Management System (EMS).

For a precise figure, consider requesting quotes from UKAS-accredited certification bodies. This can help you plan for internal costs, such as staff time and training. You may also wish to budget for any system improvements and look for opportunities to streamline processes and reduce waste.

Achieving ISO 14001 certification for an Environmental Management System (EMS) involves several steps, and the cost can vary due to several factors, including:

• The industry in which you operate
• The complexity of your organisation
• The number of sites you operate from
• The number of employees in your organisation

When considering the cost of ISO 14001 certification, check that all the relevant cost elements are included.

Be cautious of figures provided by non-accredited certification bodies. These organisations may offer seemingly attractive pricing – however, you can be tied to long-term contracts with hidden costs.

Additionally, certifications issued by non-accredited bodies may not be recognised globally, as they don’t fall under the International Accreditation Forum’s (IAF) Multilateral Recognition Arrangement. This could limit the acceptance and credibility of your ISO 14001 certification.

Certification bodies accredited by UKAS offer accredited certification, which is the type recommended by the UK government.

Read our guide on how to avoid the common pitfalls of choosing a certification body.

As a general guide, an SME with fewer than ten employees and a single site should expect to budget around £2,250 – £3,250 for initial certification to one core standard (ISO 9001, ISO 14001 or ISO 45001). This reflects a typical standalone audit cost.

For organisations seeking certification to multiple standards at the same time, costs will be higher, although integration can reduce total audit time and therefore lower overall costs by up to 20%.

Larger organisations with more employees and/or multiple sites should expect higher costs to reflect the greater scope of auditing required. Ongoing expenditure should also be anticipated for annual surveillance audits across the standard three-year ISO certification cycle.

Accredited certification bodies do not charge for providing a quote.

How Much Does The ISO 14001 Standard Cost?

Thoroughly understanding the ISO 14001 standard and its requirements is key to achieving the best chances of ISO certification success.

To do this, the first cost to consider is the official ISO 14001 standards document from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), which costs around £135.

The standard covers everything you need to know about elements, including environmental performance, resource efficiency and water reduction, leadership, risk management and compliance with legal requirements.

Although buying a copy of the standards document isn’t mandatory, users should all be aware of and understand the standard requirements. You may be surprised by how many you already have in place.

Gaining familiarity and a thorough understanding of the different elements of an ISO 14001 EMS will help you implement a system that effectively meets your organisation’s needs.

What Factors Affect The Cost of Certification?

Several factors can influence the cost of ISO 14001 certification.

A better understanding of the certification process will make it easier for your organisation to budget accordingly.

Some of the key elements that can influence the overall expense include:

• Geographical location: Costs may vary by region due to differences in auditor costs, travel expenses and local market conditions.
• Company size: Larger organisations may require more extensive audits and resources to implement necessary changes, thus impacting costs.
• Staff numbers: The fewer employees you have, the lower the associated costs could be, as the scope and complexity of implementing an EMS are lower.
• Organisational complexity: More complex organisations (for example, those with multiple locations or diverse business units) may require a more detailed audit, impacting costs.
• Industry requirements: Certain industries may have additional environmental performance requirements or require specialised auditors, affecting the overall ISO 14001 certification cost. There may be mandatory government regulations to consider.
• Certification body: Different certification bodies have varying pricing structures, which can affect the overall cost of achieving certification. Not all certification bodies are the same, so compare your options carefully.
• Internal expertise vs. external support: If there is a lack of internal expertise in environmental management, you might consider hiring an external consultant for guidance.
• Stage of readiness: Companies that have already implemented an EMS may incur lower costs, as they require fewer resources to meet ISO 14001 requirements.
• Additional services: Costs can be affected if additional services, such as training or relevant consulting, are required during the certification process.

Learn more about budgeting for ISO certification.

Stages of ISO 14001 Certification

ISO 14001 certification involves several stages, each with its associated costs.

Preparation stage

Organisations can do several things to prepare for an ISO 14001 certification audit.

After purchasing the ISO 14001 standard and becoming familiar with its requirements, the next step is to conduct an internal gap analysis to assess your organisation’s current environmental practices against them, to identify any areas of non-compliance or areas that require improvement.

The findings of this analysis will help develop a comprehensive project that outlines timelines, responsibilities and the resources needed for implementation.

Some organisations find it helpful to establish training and development programmes to equip employees with the necessary skills and knowledge. Raising awareness of ISO 14001 across the organisation is crucial for helping to foster a culture of environmental responsibility. This also ensures that everyone understands their role in achieving certification and enhances environmental performance. Training may incur additional costs, so it can be a good idea to allocate resourcing from internal L&D budgets.

Hiring a consultant at this stage could be beneficial if your organisation lacks internal expertise. This expertise can provide an unbiased assessment of your system but will contribute to costs.

Documentation review and readiness (Stage 1)

At Stage 1, the auditor from your chosen certification body reviews your Environmental Management System (EMS) documentation and gains an overview of your organisation, sites, and activities.

They will confirm the proposed scope of certification, check how far the EMS has been implemented, and highlight any areas of concern that should be addressed before Stage 2.

Costs at this point are for your Stage 1 audit and any internal time spent updating documents or controls based on the feedback.

Certification audit (Stage 2)

Stage 2 is the full certification audit carried out by an accredited certification body. The auditor checks how your Environmental Management System operates in practice by sampling activities, reviewing records, and speaking to relevant personnel. They assess whether your EMS meets ISO 14001 requirements, identify any nonconformities, and make a recommendation on certification, which is then reviewed through the certification body’s internal decision process.

Costs typically cover the Stage 2 audit fee and any associated time on site.

Read our beginner’s guide to ISO 14001 to learn more about the standard.

Certification Body Auditing Costs

Choosing an accredited certification body for ISO 14001 certification is crucial for ensuring credibility and reliability. This can enhance your organisation’s trustworthiness among clients and stakeholders.

Accredited certification bodies have met stringent international standards, which allows them to audit compliance effectively and impartially.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the national accreditation body in the UK, ensuring trust that ISO certification bodies meet rigorous international standards. British Assessment Bureau is a UKAS-accredited certification body, offering ISO certifications that are globally recognised and trusted.

Different certification bodies have different associated costs, but the general rule is that larger organisations with multiple sites will need to undergo more extensive audits – the typical timeframe is a few days to a few weeks.

Depending on your industry, you may need specialised auditors with the relevant environmental management knowledge, experience and qualifications.

Annual Surveillance Costs

To keep your EMS as effective as possible, it’s important to maintain its compliance with ISO 14001 standards.

Annual surveillance audits allow you to improve your EMS and demonstrate its ongoing compliance continually. These audits involve reviewing how well your environmental management measures and risk management practices are working, and identifying new areas for improvement since the last audit.

Surveillance audits are typically conducted by an accredited certification body. The costs for these audits can vary depending on additional aspects such as hiring new staff.

When budgeting for your ISO 14001 certification, remember to include these costs – without these audits, your EMS won’t remain compliant, and neither will your certification as this can result in the suspension or withdrawal of the certificate.

While annual audits are the most common, some certification bodies may require them more often or at different times.

Recertification Audit Costs

Becoming ISO 14001-certified isn’t a one-off process – your organisation will need to undergo a recertification audit every three years to renew at the end of the certification cycle. This is to assess whether your EMS is still effective and compliant with standard regulations.

As part of the recertification audit, an expert auditor will conduct a thorough review of the EMS, including its policies, procedures and controls, to confirm that it is effectively maintained and has been improved on since the last audit. Risk management assessments, environmental management objectives and incident response procedures are also included.

Recertification demonstrates that your organisation is committed to managing its environmental impact, assuring clients, customers and stakeholders that reducing your impact remains a top priority.

Breakdown of ISO 14001 Certification Costs

Here are the estimated costs of ISO 14001 certification at a glance:

Other costs may be required, but can vary depending on the organisation. These include:

• Consultancy
• Gap analysis
• Employee training
• Equipment and software
• Internal auditing
• Certification branding (for buildings, vehicles, etc.)

Is ISO 14001 Certification Worth It?

Although becoming ISO 14001-certified may require significant resources and money, the return on your investments is widely considered worth the cost.

The benefits of being ISO 14001-certified can include:

• Reducing your organisation’s environmental impact
• Enhancing your organisation’s reputation in your industry
• Lowering energy and material costs
• Winning new business
• Avoiding costly legal penalties
• Complying with government and industry regulations
• Reducing insurance premiums

Reducing The Costs of ISO 14001 Certification

It is possible to reduce the costs of ISO 14001 certification – consider these ideas:

• Leverage existing systems: You can build your new, compliant EMS on top of existing environmental management policies and procedures, reducing the need to invest in new tools and processes.
• Conduct a gap analysis: Perform a gap analysis before undergoing the certification process to understand your current EMS better. Identify what you already have to help you avoid wasting time and resources on duplicating efforts.
• Automate processes: Automating EMS processes where you can reduce manual effort and improve the system’s efficiency. This can help lower ongoing compliance costs.
• Internal expertise: Providing staff with environmental management training can be more cost-effective than hiring external consultants. They can then manage parts of the certification process.

Read about implementing multiple standards and reducing audit costs.

Get Started On Your Certification Journey

Ready to make your organisation greener and more sustainable?

British Assessment Bureau can provide your business with expert support throughout the entire ISO 14001 certification process, from the initial audit to your recertification audit three years later.

We are proud to have an ‘Exceptional’ Feefo rating, which is awarded to businesses with a minimum service score of 4.9 out of 5 stars and who are trusted by over 10,000 clients.

We promise no hidden costs and transparent pricing at each step. We also offer a range of flexible payment plans.

Get started on your journey to ISO 14001 certification – get a quote today or contact our team to discuss your needs.