Environmental management system certification
- Current version
- ISO 14001:2026
- Certificate valid for
- 3 years
What the standard covers
Auditors work through clauses 4 to 10 of the standard. Clauses 1 to 3 define scope and terms and are not audited.
- 4Context of the organizationScope of the management system, interested parties and the issues that affect you.
- 5LeadershipTop management commitment, policy, roles and responsibilities.
- 6PlanningRisks, opportunities and measurable objectives.
- 7SupportPeople, competence, awareness, communication and documented information.
- 8OperationHow you plan and control the work the standard covers.
- 9Performance evaluationMonitoring, internal audit and management review.
- 10ImprovementNonconformities, corrective action and continual improvement.
Audit steps and timeline
- Week 1Application and quoteYou share scope, size and sites. We send a fixed written quote.
- Week 2AgreementYou sign the certification agreement and we assign your audit team.
- Week 3 to 4Stage 1 auditDocument review and a readiness check, on site or remote.
- Week 5 to 7Stage 2 auditOn site audit of how your processes really run.
- Week 8Corrective actionsYou close any findings and send evidence.
- Week 9 to 10Decision and certificateAn independent reviewer decides. Your certificate goes live in the public register.
What sets the cost
Fees follow the number of audit days your organisation needs, set by international audit time rules. Every quote is written and fixed before you sign.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Employees | The main driver of audit days |
| Sites | Each site may need a visit, and travel adds cost |
| Complexity | Higher risk processes need more time |
| Combined standards | Auditing several standards together usually saves days |