Q: How can my organization become certified to ISO 14000?

A: The first step in becoming certified is to develop and implement an environmental management system (EMS) in your organization. This usually involves identifying the organization's environmental goals, the steps you take to achieve them, and the means by which you determine whether you've been successful. As part of the process, you will need to document the procedures that are critical to achieving your organization's objectives.

Once your EMS is in place, you'll need to select a certification body. The certification body will audit your organization's management system, a process that involves checking your EMS against the requirements of the applicable standard, and verifying that the system reflects the way your organization actually does things. You'll be given the opportunity to correct any non-conformity that the certification body discovers.

Once the certification body is satisfied that your EMS meets the requirements of the standard, they'll issue you a registration certificate. That will be followed up by periodic surveillance audits. Every three years or so, the certification body will conduct a reassessment to ensure that the management system is still functioning effectively.