ISO 50001:2018 Certification

ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

What is the ISO 50001:2018 standard?

Saving energy and managing it efficiently are the first actions to take to contribute to the sustainability of human activities. In this, companies play a key role: saving and integrating energy performance management into daily activities allows them to control consumption and contain energy costs, reaping economic profit and competitive advantage. Energy consumption, therefore, also needs to be managed efficiently and aimed at continuous improvement: precise and systematic control of energy uses could enable considerable savings in internal company costs in a short time, as well as ensuring a valuable contribution to safeguarding energy resources globally. An Energy Management System provides a systematic approach for monitoring and reducing energy consumption in any type of organization or business. 

The ISO 50001 standard, which defines the requirements for implementing Energy Management Systems, is based on the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) methodology. It requires organizations to establish energy policies with clear and measurable objectives, identify and evaluate significant energy uses and the factors influencing energy performance, implement targeted improvement actions, and regularly monitor and compare forecasted and actual energy consumption.

Furthermore, energy performance considerations should be integrated into key business decisions, including the design, procurement, and acquisition of equipment, materials, services, and other resources. This structured approach enables organizations to control and verify energy performance improvements while supporting a process of continuous improvement.

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How to obtain the certification according the ISO 50001 guideline?

The main phases of the certification process proposed by Bureau Veritas include:

  • Definition of the certification scope
  • Pre-Audit (optional)
    Gap Analysis and diagnosis of the current situation against the standard. The objective is to assess the conformity of the processes to the Energy Management System requirements described in ISO 50001. The Gap Analysis can be functional for implementing the new management system and checking the Organization's preparedness for certification
  • Certification audit conducted in two stages
    Stage 1: Review of certification preparedness;
    Stage 2: Assessment of the implementation of the Management System
  • Issuance of the certificate, valid for three years
  • Surveillance audits to verify maintenance of compliance with the standard requirements and continuous improvement
  • Renewal of certification after 3 years.

The New European Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791

The European Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791 aims to reduce primary and final energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030. The Directive recognizes ISO 50001 certification as a key framework for improving energy performance and supporting organizations in achieving EU energy efficiency targets.

Under Article 11, companies with an average annual energy consumption exceeding 85 TJ over the previous three years are required to implement an ISO 50001-certified Energy Management System (EnMS), certified by an independent third party, by 11 October 2027. This requirement promotes effective energy management, continuous improvement, and long-term sustainability.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about the 50001:2018 guideline

  • Can the ISO 50001 standard be integrated with other Management Systems?

    Absolutely. Thanks to the expertise of highly qualified Bureau Veritas auditors, integrated and combined certifications are possible with other Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) or specific standards.

  • What are the main benefits related to the Certification of the Energy Management System?

    • The ability to rely on in-house experts to assess the compliance and efficiency of your energy management system;
    • Ensure continuous improvement in the application of energy management methods and organize to best manage their evaluation;
    • Demonstrate to all stakeholders your commitment to environmental protection, as well as profitability and cost reduction.

  • Is ISO 50001 Certification Mandatory?

    Under the Energy Efficiency Directive (EU) 2023/1791, ISO 50001 certification has become a mandatory requirement for organizations that meet specific energy consumption thresholds. The Directive promotes the implementation of a certified Energy Management System (EnMS) to improve energy performance, support regulatory compliance, and drive continuous energy efficiency improvements.

  • What is the relationship between ISO 14001 and ISO 50001?

    While certification to ISO 14001 is not a prerequisite for ISO 50001, the two standards are complementary. ISO 14001 takes a broader environmental management approach, whereas ISO 50001 concentrates on the systematic management of energy performance through continuous monitoring, measurement, and improvement of energy efficiency and consumption.

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