ISO 14001 is a global standard for environmental impact management. It shows that an organisation has a structured way to reduce and manage its environmental impact in multiple areas, including water, energy use, waste creation and disposal and carbon emissions. It can also demonstrate compliance with industry and government regulations. By implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) aligned with ISO 14001, organisations can systematically identify and address environmental risks, doing their part to protect the planet and local environment.
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.
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 only type of certification 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 – £2,750 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 quotation.
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, it may be valuable and useful to do so. You may be surprised by how many of the requirements 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 more detailed audit, impacting costs.
- Industry requirements: Certain industries may have additional environmental performance requirements or require specialised auditors, affecting overall ISO 14001 certification cost. There also 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 should do several things to prepare for the ISO 14001 certification audit.
After purchasing the ISO 14001 standard and familiarising yourself with its requirements, the next step is to conduct a gap analysis to assess your organisation’s current environmental practices against them. 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.
Training and development programs should be established 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.
Documentation review and internal audit (Stage 1)
This phase could require the most investment of time, money and resources.
Before performing the internal audit, your organisation will need to create, review and update all the documentation required for ISO 14001 certification. This includes the scope of the EMS, its objectives, resources and responsibilities and risk assessments.
The internal audit involves an auditor reviewing the EMS and identifying any areas of non-compliance or opportunities for improvement. It is an essential step in the successful certification process. 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.
Other costs at this stage could include any tools or resources you need to make changes identified in the internal audit.
Certification audit (Stage 2)
The certification audit is the final stage of the certification process, conducted by an accredited certification body. An auditor will rigorously evaluate your EMS’s compliance with ISO 14001 requirements and then certify your organisation if all requirements are met.
At this stage, associated costs could include using certification logos and branding, although these costs can vary depending on your chosen certification body.
Read our beginner’s guide to ISO 14001.
Costs of an External Consultant
Hiring an external consultant during the ISO 14001 certification process is not mandatory. However, if your organisation does not already have an expert in environmental management and ISO 14001, they could be a valuable asset.
You can hire a consultant at any point in the certification process to provide support and guidance. Consultants may charge a project fee or a day rate, ranging from around £400-£1,000 per day. Consulting services and the elements included will vary between individuals, but services typically go beyond conducting internal audits.
Their cost may also depend on your consultant’s expertise, scope of work and your organisation’s complexity.
When preparing for an internal audit, your organisation’s resources and expertise will determine whether you choose an in-house auditor or an external consultant for ISO 14001 preparation.
Consider the following:
- Appointing an internal employee to be the ISO 14001 certification manager can be cost-effective, with training costs potentially costing less than hiring a consultant. Doing this could build your in-house expertise and foster a deeper internal understanding of ISO 14001. However, internal auditors must be impartial and well-trained. This process will remove them from some of their other responsibilities, potentially reducing productivity.
- An external consultant may complete the audit more quickly and effectively than an internal employee, potentially identifying issues internal staff might overlook. They would also be better equipped to handle more complex, highly technical audits. However, their expertise and time can come with a higher price tag.
When determining the best choice for your organisation, balance cost, expertise and in-house capabilities.
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 assess compliance effectively and impartially.
In the UK, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the national accreditation body, guaranteeing 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 extended audits – the typical timeframe is a few days to a few weeks. If your organisation has multiple sites, you could potentially reduce costs by rotating audit visits within the 3-year certification cycle if each site operates the same way.
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 continually improve your EMS and demonstrate your ongoing compliance. 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.
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 compliance audit every three years. 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.
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.
- Phased implementation: Consider a phased approach to implementing ISO 14001. This would allow you to spread costs over time, focusing first on the high-risk areas that need addressing.
- 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.
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.
