ISO 50001 to Lead the Way for Emissions Monitoring?

Nov. 28, 2012 - PRLog -- Recently, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), have announced new regulations following the plans announced by the Deputy Prime Minister at the Rio+ 20 Summit at Rio in June. It means that all businesses listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange from April 2013 will have to report their level of greenhouse gas emissions.

This announcement makes the UK the first country to make it compulsory for organisations to monitor and report on their emissions data in their annual reports. The regulations will be reviewed in 2015 before a decision is taken as to whether to extend the approach to all large companies from 2016.

QMS International plc, a company offering ISO 50001 certification, have commented on this change in regulations for large businesses: “Pressures from the government and media in recent years have led businesses to becoming increasingly green, and the introduction of the ISO 50001 standard by the International Organisation of Standardisation is a great way for companies to monitor their impact on the environment and reduce their carbon emissions” says Steve Dean of QMS International.

The development of the ISO 50001 certification stemmed from an international working group meeting of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), energy management organisations and standards-making authorities including ISO. It was recognised that industries around the world needed to mount an effective response to climate change, harmonising existing and proposed national energy management system standards and developing an internationally recognised standard which would help companies across the globe to unite under the same standard culminating in the release of the ISO 50001 certification in June 2011.

Following the Rio Summit, Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg commented: “Counting your business costs while hiding your greenhouse gas emissions is a false economy. British companies need to reduce their harmful emissions for the benefit of the planet, but many back our plans because being energy efficient makes good business sense too.”

The ISO 50001 certification implements an energy management system into a business, helping organisations to monitor their legislative or bespoke carbon targets, reduce costs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels while also enhancing an organisations reputation for being responsible for their environmental impacts.

To read more about ISO 50001, and to find out how QMS International plc can help you to implement the standard in your business, visit their website: www.qmsuk.com/iso-50001.php.