With energy one of the most critical challenges facing the international community, the publication on 15 June 2011, of the ISO International Standard ISO 50001 on energy management systems is an eagerly awaited event because it is estimated the standard could have a positive impact on some 60 % of the world’s energy use.
ISO 50001 will provide public and private sector organizations with management strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve energy performance.
ISO Secretary-General Rob Steele comments: “Energy is critical to organizational operations and can be a major cost to organizations, whatever their activities. An idea can be gained by considering the use of energy through the supply chain of a business, from raw materials through to recycling.
“Individual organizations cannot control energy prices, government policies or the global economy, but they can improve the way they manage energy in the here and now. Improved energy performance can provide rapid benefits for an organization by maximizing the use of its energy sources and energy-related assets, thus reducing both energy cost and consumption. The organization will also make positive contributions toward reducing depletion of energy resources and mitigating worldwide effects of energy use, such as global warming.”
ISO 50001 is intended to provide organizations with a recognized framework for integrating energy performance into their management practices. Multinational organizations will have access to a single, harmonized standard for implementation across the organization with a logical and consistent methodology for identifying and implementing improvements. The standard is intended to accomplish the following:
The International Standard for Energy Management provides the most robust framework for optimizing energy efficiency in public and private sector organisations. Certification to this standard defines an organizations commitment to continual improvement in energy management. Implementation will enable an organisation to lead by example within their respective industries and ensure related legislative and regulatory requirements are met.
Organisations of all types and sizes can benefit from energy and cost efficiencies through the implementation of this standard. However organisations with significant energy expenditure are likely to see most benefit in the standard.
Significant financial savings can be achieved through increased energy efficiency. (Of gem forecast energy prices will rise by at least 20% by 2020) Organisations can ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements ISO 50001 is the most robust energy management system, enabling organisations continual improvements on energy performance Enhanced marketing capabilities. Make your business stand out System Compatibility; ISO 50001 can be integrated with existing management systems If registered to ISO 14001, the ‘basic framework’ is already there. Therefore certification costs may be less than expected. Ensure best practice energy management systems are in place ISO 50001 framework facilitates the management of energy bills and expenditure.