On May 18-20, the DNV Business Assurance Houston office hosted the US Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the ISO Project Committee (PC) 242. The purpose of the meeting was to gather input from the American perspective, for the anticipated Energy management systems ISO 50001 standard, specifically the ‘Requirements with guidance for use’ document.
Catalyst for change
The ISO 50001 standard, which is currently in Draft International Standard (DIS) status, is expected to generate huge interest worldwide.
The cost of fossil-fuel based energy is forecasted to increase significantly in the next couple of decades. This change, along with the imperative need to reduce GHG emissions, will prompt organizations to re-focus on energy management as an effective approach to reduce both their carbon emissions, and their energy
purchasing costs.
As mentioned in DNV’s 2009 Annual Report, energy efficiency gains might contribute with up to 57% to the goal of reducing emissions of green house gases and limiting a temperature rise in our atmosphere to 2°C, by 2030. So, without a doubt, energy efficiency is a measure which clearly has a global impact and supports our sustainability endeavor.
How ISO 50001 is different
ISO 50001 which is expected to be formally released during the second quarter of 2011, although progress towards the final document might slip, is a significant departure from many other ISO Management System Standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, etc. The primary reason for the difference is the fact that ISO 50001 will focus on performance; energy performance in this case. The document will enable organizations to establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy performance, including energy efficiency, use, consumption and intensity.
Implementation of this standard should also lead to reductions in energy expenditures and greenhouse gas emissions. Further, effective implementation of an EnMS (Energy Management System) should also mitigate other environmental impacts, through systematic management of energy.
Although we expect to see large, high energy consumption, industrial organizations to lead the implementation efforts, potentially seeking accredited certification, and participating in regional energy efficiency programs, based on ISO 50001, the standard will be applicable to all types and sizes of organizations irrespective of geographical, cultural or social conditions.
The organization requirements for ISO 50001 include developing and implementing an energy policy, as well as establishing objectives, targets, and action plans, which take into account the legal requirements and information pertaining to significant energy use.
Next Steps
The US TAG delegation were welcomed to our Gold-level LEED building, and were impressed with our fine meeting facilities and the good-old Texan hospitality.
The main purpose of this event was to reconcile hundreds of comments offered by the US delegates to the DIS document. All of the feedback was processed, and the consolidated position will be forwarded to the ISO PC242, which will next convene in China, during the week of October 18th.
L-R: Aimee McKane, Vice-chair, Deann Desai, Secretary, Roland Risser, chair of the US TAG and Sidney Vianna, DNV BA USA Director of New Services Development.
Date: 03 June 2010