ISO has developed a new standard to help organizations efficiently implement “ecodesign” — which is what it sounds like. The goal is for organizations to use the principles of ISO 14006:2011 in order to design and develop more advanced, profitable and sustainable goods and services.

Alongside, the newly published ISO 14006:2011 Environmental Management Systems – Guidelines for Incorporating Ecodesign provides instructional guidance on incorporating ecodesign into any environmental, quality or similar management system. The target audience is industry.

ISO 14006:2011 does not establish by itself specific environmental performance criteria and it is not intended for certification purposes. However, guidelines for incorporating ecodesign gives “how to” guidance on incorporating ecodesign into any environmental, quality or similar management system.

The ISO 14006 standard aims to assist organizations in their management of ecodesign as part of an environmental management system (EMS). Specifically, it aims to help:

1. Establish.
2. Document.
3. Implement.
4. Maintain.
5. Continually improve.

Ecodesign. The goal is greener product development and greener product lifecycle management. The guidance applies to those environmental aspects of an organization’s products and/or services over which it has control or influence.

ISO 14006:2011  ISO 14006 is applicable to any organization. It is NOT conditional on a company or entity:

1. Size.
2. Geographical location.
3. Culture.
4. Complexity of management system(s).
5. Complexity of target product or service.

The new standard is intended to be used primarily by organizations that have implemented an EMS according to ISO 14001, whether or not they have a quality management system (QMS) according to ISO 9001. It can also be useful for organizations without a formalized EMS or QMS but which are interested in reducing the adverse environmental impacts of their products.

ISO 14006:2011 was developed by ISO technical committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, subcommittee SC 1, Environmental management systems, working group WG 4, Guidelines in ecodesign. It may also be obtained directly from the ISO Central Secretariat, price: about USD$135.00 via the ISO Store online.

Other ISO standards of interest  The ISO 14000 family of standards relating to environmental management systems in businesses, homes and communities.

1. ISO 14006:2011 — Environmental management systems — Guidelines for incorporating ecodesign.
2. ISO 14005:2010 — Environmental management systems — Guidelines for the phased implementation of an environmental management system, including the use of environmental performance evaluation.
3. ISO 14004:2004 — Environmental management systems — General guidelines on principles, systems and support techniques.

By complying with ISO 14000 standards, you’re never afraid to show your hand.