Q: What does certification to ISO 14001 tell me about a company's environmental performance?

A: Certification to ISO 14001 does not necessarily indicate that a company's environmental performance is superior to that of its competitors. But it does indicate a number of important things about the company's attitude toward the environment.

Establishing and maintaining an environmental management system (EMS) requires a significant investment of time and resources. The fact that a company makes this investment indicates its commitment to monitoring, managing and improving its environmental performance. The company must demonstrate to a neutral third party observer on an ongoing basis, that it has identified significant environmental aspects of its operations, that it is taking steps to control them, and that those steps are proving effective. To maintain its registration, the company must show not only consistency, but also improvements in its performance over time.

ISO 14001 is not a guarantee of improved environmental performance, but it does provide companies with a means of demonstrating their commitment to that goal, and a set of proven methods for achieving it.