The main objective of the standard is to improve energy-related performance and energy efficiency continuously and to identify energy reduction opportunities. This systematic approach will help organizations to establish systems and processes.
Consistent energy management helps organizations to realize untapped energy efficiency potential. They will benefit from cost savings and make a significant contribution to environmental and climate protection, for example by the permanent reduction of CO2 emissions.[3] The standard should alert employees and in particular the management level to the immediate and long-term energy management gains that can be made. The organization can discover potential savings and competitive advantages. Furthermore a huge image boost for the organization can be created
Background
Organizations of all types and sizes increasingly want to reduce the amount of energy they consume. This is driven by the need or desire to:
reduce costs,
reduce the impact of rising costs,
meet legislative or self-imposed carbon targets,
reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and
enhance the entity’s reputation as a socially responsible organization.
In tandem, governments increasingly want to reduce the Greenhouse Gas Emissions of their citizens and industries, and are imposing legislative mechanisms to compel carbon reduction more and more frequently.
In response, a range of energy management standards, specifications and regulations were developed in China, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and the USA.
Subsequently the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) developed EN 16001:2009 Energy management systems. Requirements with guidance for use as a first international energy management standard. This was published in July 2009[6] and withdrawn in April 2012 as it had been superseded by ISO 50001
Development
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) recognized that industry around the world needed to mount an effective response to climate change.[8] It also noted a proliferation of national energy management standards that were emerging as a response to market demand for help with energy efficiency.
In April 2007, a UNIDO stakeholders meeting decided to ask ISO to develop an international energy management standard.
ISO for its part had identified energy management as one of its top five areas for the development of International Standards and, in 2008, created a project committee, ISO/PC 242, Energy management, to carry out the work.
ISO/PC 242 was led by ISO members for the United States (ANSI) and Brazil (ABNT). In addition, its leadership included the ISO members for China (SAC) and the United Kingdom (BSI Group) to ensure that developed and developing economies participated together in the project committee.
Experts from the national standards bodies of 44 ISO member countries participated and another 14 countries sent observers. Development organizations including UNIDO and the World Energy Council (WEC) were also involved.
ISO 50001 also drew on existing national and regional energy management codes and standards, including ones developed in China, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Republic of Korea, Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, the USA and the European Union.
ISO 50001:2011 Energy management systems – Requirements with guidance for use was published on June 17, 2011
