ISO 14001 is an international standard that specifies the requirements for an environmental management system (EMS) that an organization can use to enhance its environmental performance. It provides a framework that a company or organization can follow to set up an effective environmental management system. The standard is designed for any type of organization, regardless of its activity or sector, and it can provide assurance to company management and employees as well as external stakeholders that environmental impact is being measured and improved.

The ISO 14001 standard can be used within a plan-do-check-act (PDCA) approach to continuous improvement. The major requirements of an EMS under ISO 14001 include enhancing environmental performance, fulfilling compliance obligations, and achieving environmental objectives. The standard is applicable to any organization, regardless of size, type, and nature, and applies to the environmental aspects of its activities, products, and services that the organization determines it can either control or influence considering a life cycle perspective.

ISO 14001 does not state specific environmental performance criteria, but it can be used in whole or in part to systematically improve environmental management. Claims of conformity to ISO 14001 are not acceptable unless all its requirements are incorporated into an organizations environmental management system and fulfilled without exclusion.

Some potential benefits of using ISO 14001 include improved environmental performance through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste, gaining a competitive advantage, and achieving greater control over costs. Organizations using ISO 14001 have found success across a range of areas, including reduced energy and resource consumption, improved compliance with environmental regulations, and enhanced reputation and stakeholder relationships.