Energy Management Systems – ISO 50001
BS EN 16001 : 2009 Energy Management Systems is to be replaced with the launch of ISO 50001

BS EN 16001: 2009 has been around now as a European standard long enough for interested organisations to get the feel of the implications of designing, implementing and monitoring a useful and cost effective Energy Management System. Many organisations initially gained certification to ISO14001: 2004 Environmental Management Systems in the hope that they could include all the needs of addressing their outputs of greenhouse gasses and their Company's "Carbon Footprint".   Although this is of course possible, the ISO14001 standard does not require that these details be included.

The European standard was very helpful in that it used the same paragraph or clause titles as those used in ISO14000 and also OHSAS18001: 2007 - Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems. It was regretted by some however, that the paragraph/clause numbers were different.

We now have news of the recent launch of the International standard ISO 50001, happily with the paragraph/clause numbers realigned as paragraph/clause number 4. The International standard is expected to replace the national standard in mid 2012.

The general take up for certification to the Energy Management System is probably quite low, I don't have any details, but I have had very limited enquiries on the subject.  It was interesting to hear that a few companies are considering using the International Standard (committee draft) as a template to fully develop their Energy Management Systems and then to incorporate this into their ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

This possible strategy once again begs the question; will we be seeing a truly useful Integrated Management System, with international clout or will organisations have to continue to accumulate multi-certifications in order to stay in contention with rivals?

Some may regret that the take-up and acceptance of the EFQM system (European Foundation for Quality Management), or even PAS99 Integrated Management Systems has been so low-key or unpopular in the United Kingdom.