ISO 50001: definition and benefits
Every business inevitably has to use energy to operate properly. At present, the cost of energy is rising all the time: both financially, with the price of gas and electricity, and environmentally.
It was against this backdrop that the ISO 50001 standard was introduced. Its aim is to help companies reduce their energy consumption and protect the planet.
What is ISO 50001?
The ISO 50001 standard is a certification created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The standard supports organizations in setting up an SEMn or Energy Management System. The aim of this system is to enable more efficient and reasonable use of energy resources. One of the levers of the ISO 50001 standard is to reduce organizations’ greenhouse gas emissions. The standard is reviewed every 5 years to ensure that it continues to meet current requirements.
Is ISO 50001 mandatory?
Like all ISO standards, this one is not mandatory, but voluntary. We call this certification a voluntary international standard.
However, even if ISO 50001 is not mandatory, we recommend that you use it to formalize your energymanagement approach. In fact, the requirements for this certification are the result of a consensus between all the professionals involved in its drafting on best practices for improving energy efficiency.
What type of company is this standard aimed at?
The ISO 50001 standard is aimed at all organizations wishing to limit their impact on the environment, regardless of their size, location, legal status or sector (public or private). All companies can implement ISO 50001, regardless of their level of energy consumption or performance.
Why get ISO 50001 certification?
Being ISO 50001 certified has many benefits and advantages for companies:
√ With certification, you can be sure that the system you’ve set up will optimize your energy consumption and costs.
√ Once you’ve reduced your carbon footprint, you’ll be able to promote your environmental commitment to stakeholders. This approach can also help you improve your brand image.
√ You’ll involve your employees and collaborators by encouraging them to use energy in a more responsible and rational way. In this way, you can mobilize and unite your teams.
√ From a financial point of view, your expenses will be optimized and you’ll benefit from a 20% bonus on your CEE (energy saving certificates).
√ You’ll benefit from a reduction in TGAP (Taxe Générale sur les Activités Polluantes).
√ You’ll improve your competitive edge.
√ You won’t need to pass the mandatory energy audit (more details below).
How do I obtain ISO 50001 certification?
Steps to obtain certification
The process of obtaining ISO 50001 certification is carried out by an organization accredited to issue this standard. There are several steps to follow:
Step 1 (optional): the assessment visit. This step is designed to help you understand what’s at stake in the audit. Although not compulsory, we recommend that you take this step, as it increases your chances of receiving certification.
Step 2: scheduling the audit.
Stage 3 : the initial audit. The auditor will analyze the company’s data and practices, and meet with the team. You’ll then know which areas need improvement. The auditor will make a second visit within 45 to 90 days of the first audit.
Step 4: Examination of your file by the certification committee and audit report.
Step 5: The audit conclusion. The auditor will grant you certification (or not). If you do, you will hold the certificate for 3 years, and will be able to display the ISO 50001 logo for the same period.
Stage 6: Surveillance and renewal: every 3 years, a renewal audit takes place. It is possible to change certification bodies for these audits.
It should be noted that it can take between 6 and 18 months to obtain certification. This may vary according to the size and number of sites involved in the application. If you have already obtained ISO 14001 certification, the process of obtaining ISO 50001 is simplified. A service provider such as Dametis can support you throughout the process.
The PRO – SMEn program
To finance the process, the French government has set up an energy management program (PRO – SMEn). To accelerate company certification, this program awards a bonus equivalent to 20% of the energy expenditure of certified organizations (up to a limit of €40,000). The 2018-2022 session for obtaining the premium is currently underway, ending on October 1, 2022. To participate, you must identify yourself before June 30, 2022.
What’s the difference between an energy audit and ISO 50001 certification?
Energy audits are mandatory for large companies:
- companies with more than 250 employees ;
- companies with annual sales of over €50 million and total assets of over €43 million;
This energy audit must be renewed every 4 years. It provides an assessment of the organization’s energy consumption.
ISO 50001-certified companies don’t need to carry out an energy audit, as the audit carried out to obtain certification is more stringent.
What’s the difference between ISO 50001 and ISO 14001?
ISO 50001 and ISO 14001 are often confused. These two standards were built on the same principles, so it’s easy to combine them. Notably, ISO 50001 was revised in 2018 to be more in line with 14001.
The big difference is that ISO 50001 focuses on energy, while 14001 is dedicated to all types of environmental impact.
Please note: unlike ISO 50001, obtaining ISO 14001 certification does not entitle you to exemption from the energy audit.
