Last edited 06 Jan 2016

ISO 50001 Energy Management

1 Introduction
2 Framework
3 Key components
4 Certification to the ISO 50001 standard
5 Find out more
- 5.1 Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 5.2 External references

[edit] Introduction

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is an independent organisation responsible for the production of voluntary international standards. ISO have 165 member countries with a Central Secretariat based in Geneva. The name ISO is derived from the Greek ‘isos’ which means equal.

ISO 50001:2011 ‘Energy management system- Requirements with guidance for use’ sets out the requirements for energy management systems. It is applicable to all variables affecting energy performance that can be monitored and influenced by an organisation. It does not detail performance criteria with respect to energy.

ISO 50001:2011 is relevant to all organisations wishing to ensure that they conform to a stated energy policy and wishing to demonstrate this to others.

[edit] Framework

The ISO 50001:2011 provides a guidance framework of requirements to:

Develop a policy for more efficient energy usage.
Set targets and objectives to achieve the policy.
Use data to assist with understanding and help inform decisions about energy use.
Measure outcomes.
Review the efficiency of the policy.
Continually improve energy management.

[edit] Key components

The standard is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act approach and a general requirement of the standard is that an energy management system should be established and continually improved and documented.

The approach is outlined as follows:

Plan: conduct an energy review and establish the baseline, energy performance indicators (EnPIs), objectives, targets and action plans necessary to deliver results that will improve energy performance in accordance with the organisation’s energy policy.
Do: implement the energy management action plan.
Check: monitor and measure processes and key characteristics of operations that determine energy performance against the energy policy and objectives, and report the results.
Act: Take action to continually improve energy performance and the Energy Management System.

[edit] Certification to the ISO 50001 standard

In order to obtain ISO 50001 certification, the energy management system of an organisation is assessed by a third party certification body (ISO itself is not a certification body) that ensures compliance with the standard. The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredits certification bodies within the UK (United Kingdom Accreditation Service).