Corporations are expected to minimize the pollution they may cause, and it is a chance to enhance their competitive advantage through the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS), which not only controls the pollution they produce but also improves the utilization of resources, resulting in the reduction of costs.

ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized standard for this purpose. The latest edition of it, i.e. ISO 14001:2004, was published on November 15, 2004, aiming at replacing the 1996 edition in 2006.

With this new edition, the standard is made more compatible with ISO 9001:2000 quality management system, clearer in its statements, and to deliver better environmental performance and legal compliance.

• Scope
  
• Policy
  
• Environmental Aspects Identification
  
• Legal and Other Requirements
  
• Resources, roles, responsibility and authority
  
• Competence Training and Awareness
  
• Communication
  
• Environmental Management System Documentation
  
• Document Control
  
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
  
• Evaluation of Legal Compliance
  
• Non conformance, Corrective and Preventive action
  
• Other minor changes.

One crucial point of this upgrade of standard is the short 18-month transition period, compared to the 36-month transition period for ISO 9001 in 2000. This upgrade is estimated to impact more than 70,000 certificates around the world. Reviews and upgrades are expected to be done by May 2006.