Transition to ISO 14001: 2015 standard

MAIN CHANGES IN ISO 14001:2015 :

• An explicit requirement for risk based thinking to support and improve the understanding and application of the process approach.
• Fewer prescribed requirements.
• Less emphasis on documents.
• Improved applicability for services.
• Increased emphasis on organizational context.
• Greater emphasis on achieving desired outcomes to improve customer satisfaction.

TRANSITION PERIOD AND VALIDITY:

• ISO 14001:2015 was published on 15th September 2015.The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) has agreed to a three years transition period from the publication date of ISO 14001:2015 ie till 15th September 2018.
• The ISO 14001:2004 will not be valid after three years from publication of ISO 14001:2015 ie after 15th September 2018.
• The expiry date of certification to ISO 14001:2004 issued during the transition period corresponds to the end of the three year transition period i.e. 15th September 2018.

CERTIFICATION GUIDELINES:

• All issues that require client action for compliance with the new requirements should be clearly identified and raised as documented findings.
• Only when all identified outstanding issues have been appropriately addressed and the effectiveness of the management system demonstrated, can the auditors recommend certification to ISO 14001:2015
• Records should be available to demonstrate that all prior transition audit findings have been evaluated for corrective action and compliance before any recommendation for approval to ISO 14001:2015 can be made.
• Evaluation of a client's conformance to the new requirements during the transition phase does not interfere with the client's on-going conformance to ISO 14001:2004.

IMPLEMENTATION REQUIREMENTATIONS FOR ORGANIZATIONS

• Identify organizational gaps which need to be addressed to meet new requirements.
• Develop implementation plan.
• Provide appropriate training and awareness for all parties that have an impact on the effectiveness of the organization.
• Update existing EMS to meet the revised requirements and provide verification of effectiveness.
• Where applicable liaise with CAAC for transition arrangements.

CAAC PLAN FOR VERIFYING CLIENTS TRANSITION TO ISO 14001:2015:

Process for Existing Clients:

• Download the Guidance document “Transition to ISO 14001:2015 standard” in reference of IAF-ID 09.
• Communicating to the clients about Transition and Gap Analysis through Guidance document CAAC-Transition Plan uploaded on the webstite of CAAC.
• Training for Transition to ISO 14001:2015 for CAAC clients (open house training only to desirous clients).
• The audit required to review transition to new standard can be combined with the Surveillance, Certification or Recertification Audit
• CAAC Clients should inform about the tentative date for the audit to CAAC office at the earliest. The organizations will have to implement the EMS as per ISO 14001:2015 for at least a period of six months prior to the transition audit.
• The Transition audit will be a two stage audit even though if it's a surveillance audit. During the audit the unclosed non conformances from previous audit will be reviewed and evaluated with reference to ISO 14001:2015.
• CAAC will spend audit duration equal to recertification audit duration plus additional man-day as stated in the CAAC Transition Plan if combined with surveillance and recertification.
• The Transition audit, the evaluation of the findings of the audit, closure of the non-conformances observed, evaluation of the corrective actions and compliance to ISO 14001:2015 will be checked prior to recommendation for approval to ISO 14001:2015 by CAAC.
• The complete process should be completed prior to the expiry of ISO 14001:2004 ie till 15thSeptember 2018.
• In case the Organization fails to conform to ISO 14001:2015 during the audit but conforms to ISO 14001:2004 then the certification to ISO 14001:2004 will continue till 15th September 2018.

Process for New Clients:

• New clients can opt for either ISO 14001:2004 or ISO 14001:2015 directly. No certification request for ISO 14001:2004 will be accepted 18 months after the publication date of ISO 14001:2015 i.e. after 15th March 2017.
• In case the client opts for ISO 14001:2004, the certificate will not be valid for three years but till the last date of the validity of ISO 14001:2004 i.e. 15th September 2018. The client needs to switch to ISO 14001:2015 prior to expiry of certification.