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Update to ISO 50001

Tweaks and amends

ISO 50001 has received its first update since it was first used in 2011 to factor in changes and trends in how companies use energy. The standard gives companies a step-by-step guide in how to reduce energy costs, become more resilient and comply with legislation on energy (see The next step ).

Note.ISO 50001 is a relatively new standard developed to help companies get to grips with just how much energy they use and how and where they can reduce consumption of it.

What’s changed?

The new version, published in August 2018, features some updated terms and definitions, as well as clearer guidance and clarification on a number of terms relating to energy performance.

It also makes a point of having more input from senior managers who are often required to sign off energy-saving investments or activities.

Tip. Reducing energy can be straightforward, depending on the size and complexity of your operations and premises. You can use something like ISO 50001 as a step-by-step guide to creating a company policy for more efficient use of energy, establishing some reduction targets, understanding your energy data to make decisions about your usage, and then measuring the results.

Is it worth using?

According to the British Standards Institute, the revision also focuses on making sure the key concepts related to energy performance are clear and accessible for small and medium-sized businesses, rather than just for larger companies.

Is it for all?

It does cost to use the standard. Whether you use it or not will depend on what type of savings you think could be achieved.

According to analysis by Clean Energy Ministerial, the widespread use of ISO 50001 across the commercial and industrial sectors globally could produce total energy savings of around 6,500 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions by 2030 - the equivalent of removing 215 million cars from the road.

Although most of those savings will be achieved by large energy-hungry companies, you can certainly use the system to pinpoint areas of your business where energy could be drastically reduced. The whole point is to help you understand what types of energy you use and how much you’re wasting.

Tip. If your business already complies with the Energy Saving Opportunities Scheme, you will benefit from not having to complete the initial assessment process for ISO 50001 .

Note. If you’re using a management system that follows ISO 14001 for general environmental management, ISO 50001 can be integrated because they are both based on the same model of continuous improvement.

For further information on ISO 50001, visit http://tipsandadvice-environment.co.uk/download (EN 13.04.02).