ISO 14001 is one of the most recognized and accepted environmental management systems standards worldwide. The standard aims at helping organizations develop and implement environmental management systems to improve their environmental performance, and achieve more efficient use of resources. Implementing an environmental management system will help organizations achieve regulatory compliance within their operational boundaries, and gain the trust of their customers and stakeholders. Environmental management programs are the first steps towards achieving sustainability and social accountability with environmental issues. This standard can be used by any organization, regardless of its size, scope, the field of business, public or private, to develop and implement an environmental management system based on accepted international best practices.

An organization can use ISO 14001 to develop a holistic environmental management system focusing on identifying, managing, monitoring, and controlling its environmental issues and impacts. A successful environmental management system will require an organization to consider all environmental issues and impacts relevant to its operations, such as waste reduction and management, air pollution, discharges to soil and water, and efficient use of natural resources.