ISO 50001 provides guidance on implementation of an energy management system, setting out a framework to help organisations to create an effective approach that drives measurable improvement in energy management. Using this standard will guide you to develop a clear policy to improve energy efficiency, set targets aligned with the policy, and to gather accurate data on energy use with a focus on continual improvement.  The standard drives you to ensure measurement and achievement of the energy efficiency measures and a continual evaluation of success.

The standard was last revised in 2018 and now incorporates the latest “Annex SL” approach for ISO management systems, meaning that there is now a high level of alignment with other ISO management system requirements such as for Quality, Environmental and Health and Safety management systems. In this way common core requirements and practices can be adopted in a more integrated and strategic way while then focusing on the discipline-specific requirements. Alongside this ISO 50001 now has a number of clarified definitions and specific details such as regarding energy performance indicators and data collection.

ISO 50001 provides a framework suitable for all kinds and sizes of organisation to use in developing an energy management system which can be maintained and improved. The standard specifies the requirements to be developed and implemented including setting up an energy policy with appropriate energy objectives, measures, targets, and action plans related to energy – its efficiency, use, and consumption – along with meeting legal and regulatory requirements. Adopting this standard will drive you towards a systematic, fact and data-driven approach incorporating energy performance indicators and energy baselines to demonstrate your energy performance improvement.

Like other ISO management system standards based around the Annex SL, ISO 50001considers the context of the organisation itself – for example the needs and expectation of interested parties– and the leadership, planning and support arrangements that are in place in addition to defining the operational controls needed to achieve energy performance objectives. ISO 50001 adopts shared principles such as understanding the organisation and its context, the identification and means of addressing risks and opportunities and the use of the Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) approach to problem solving and improvement.

ISO 50001 incorporates energy specific requirements such as top management establishing an energy policy, setting objectives and energy targets, and planning to achieve them. A formal energy review process is required incorporating analysis of energy use and consumption, establishing areas of significant energy use, determining energy performance indicators and an energy baseline, while establishing appropriate means for collection of the energy data necessary.  

Whether you are setting out for the first time with the standard, are planning to integrate it into a wider management system, or just want the right help to make it work more effectively for you, we can support you.  We will work closely with you throughout the process and, if required, help you to prepare with confidence for 3^rd Party certification.

In the UK many businesses and other organisations may be of sufficient size and scope to fall into the required criteria for the government’s Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS). Administered by the Environment Agency, the scheme incorporates mandatory energy assessment with an audit aimed at identifying appropriate measures for energy saving. Your ESOS assessment must be signed off by an ESOS lead assessor who can be an employee or an approved external contractor.   

You may however wish to consider ISO 50001 as a route to demonstrating ESOS compliance. For example, you may wish to adopt ISO 50001 because of its more global recognition as reflecting best practice for managing an organisation’s energy use.  You may already have other ISO management system certifications in place and can therefore benefit from the synergy and common approaches. Indeed, your organisation may not be of the size to meet the criteria for ESOS, but you may wish to adopt ISO 50001 because your ethos is to drive for managing your energy improvement in a structured and effective way.

ISO 50001 can be applicable to any organisation no matter what its type or size. You can demonstrate being compliant with ISO 50001 by 3^rd party certification, which can be provided to the Environment Agency.

If energy usage is a significant factor in your business, and efficiency and improvement are key goals for you then ISO 50001 could be relevant to you as it will guide you to adopt a structured and measurable approach to your energy management activities. We can support you to secure the benefits of an effective and robust energy management system, and to achieve 3^rd party certification. 

Your organisation may not be at the size and scope required for ESOS but perhaps you can see the benefits that following best practice in the way you manage energy can bring. You may be growing so there is a possibility that you may fall into the scope for ESOS compliance in the future and want to get effective systems in place now. Whatever the reason, you can start to develop your systems and approaches using ISO 50001. At QFactorial we have a wealth of knowledge and experience in a wide variety of sectors and with organisations of all sizes – so we are able to fully support you on your journey towards establishing an effective and compliant ISO-based energy management system.

If you already qualify for ESOS and choose ISO 50001 as your approach to ESOS compliance you will need to ensure that you study the Environment Agency deadlines for what has to be achieved and submitted and by when. Please contact us to discuss your needs and current status.

Implementing ISO 50001 is not an easy alternative to ESOS, as it is in many ways more challenging. It goes beyond the reporting on energy use, efficiency and suggestions for improvement by requiring the implementation of an effective and comprehensive energy management system which is continually measured and reviewed for improvement. ISO 50001 promotes the following of best practice in energy management and supports a culture of energy performance improvement, with the 3^rd party certification process to verify it. If you are looking to achieve real business benefits through your approach to energy management implementing ISO 50001 could be a key step on your journey  - so whether you are just starting out with it or need help to establish your system and realise the benefits QFactorial can fully support you

We are, first and foremost, a quality management consultancy. And we are really keen on the consulting part. By engaging with us you can be assured we will listen carefully to your story and understand the details of what you want, and what you need (which are not always the same thing!). Our consultants can then offer you a uniquely tailored solution. We're Quality People, and we understand how to bend and shape the ISO framework to add value to your business.

The current edition of ISO 50001 was released in 2018 and superseded the previous edition first released in 2011. It specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system. It is based around the “Annex SL” format for management systems, so it aligns with ISO 9001 and other management system standards, allowing it to be used independently or to be integrated with other management systems. The aim for this standard is to enable your organisation to achieve continual improvement of its energy performance - and its energy management system – by following a systematic approach. It is applicable to any organisation irrespective of its products or services, its size, type, location or complexity - and is applicable irrespective of the type or quantity of energy consumed. The standard is currently under review by ISO as part of the ISO systematic review process which takes place every 5 years.

We have extensive experience in helping organisations of all sizes and sectors in establishing compliant management systems which means that we can help you whatever your starting point and whatever your needs and barriers. With the increasing focus on the environment overall and in particular the challenges on energy management, energy costs and sustainability along with increasing legislative and regulatory demands ISO 50001 could be beneficial for you.  Whether you want to set up an ISO 50001 compliant system from scratch or you want to bring it in alongside other standards into an integrated management system we can help you to establish a robust and effective way forward and support you towards your certification.    

ISO 50001 sets out key requirements based around the “Annex SL” format with the key goals of fulfilling compliance obligations, establishing and achieving energy objectives and demonstrating continual improvement in energy performance. At the heart is the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) approach which draws together the needs and expectations of interested parties and internal and external issues into understanding the context of the organisation within the energy management system. This means considering all potential key issues and focusing on those that present the greatest risk (or positive opportunity) to achieving energy performance improvement. For example, considerations may include energy supply and availability issues, weather and climate change, legal and regulatory drivers, interested parties and competition and drive thinking about your own internal factors such as your capabilities, strategy, contractual relationships, culture, etc.

The standard sets out the energy management system (EnMS) requirements so that it is established, implemented, maintained and improved with consideration given to ensuring that processes are controlled, carried out as planned and achieve the desired results – wherever possible being integrated into the key business processes.  

Your organisation’s top management are required to demonstrate that they engage actively in the EnMS activities, that they are involved in the operation of the system and are accountable ultimately for the results. The expectation is that energy management requirements are not managed in isolation but are incorporated into core strategic and day to day operations in line with a documented energy policy, and with the appropriate roles and responsibilities for top management and others within the organisation, and promotion of continual improvement both of energy efficiency and the EnMS.  

The considerations around planning activities utilise the core concept of risk-based thinking to achieve the intended outcomes – such as achieving energy objectives, and continual improvement in energy performance. You will need to be able to show evidence that you have determined - and where needed taken action on - risks and opportunities. These may include negative and positive issues which could affect the effectiveness of the energy management system. Objectives established must be consistent with the energy policy, measurable, monitored and updated - and planned actions need to be clearly defined and results evaluated. This includes developing and conducting an energy review which includes analysis of energy use and consumption - past and current – and based on the analysis to identify significant energy uses (SEUs) for determining and prioritising opportunities for improving energy performance and to help to estimate future energy use and consumption. You will need to determine energy performance indicators that are appropriate for measuring and monitoring your energy performance and ensure that these are managed and maintained as documented information. You will also need to establish a baseline over a suitable period of time and consider how to normalise the variables so that performance can be compared effectively.  You will need to establish a formal plan for collection of energy data so that it is measured, monitored and analysed at planned intervals - and retained.

In support you will need to consider the physical and personnel resources required to maintain the EnMS effectively and promote continual improvement. This will incorporate the necessary competence and awareness of personnel – for example regarding the energy policy and commitments and impacts of their work on energy performance -  and evidence of internal and external communication. There is also the need to establish and maintain effective systems for control of documentation and records, which may of course be incorporated with other management systems such as ISO 9001. The key is to focus on the effective implementation of the EnMS not just a complex document control system.

At the heart of the operational requirements you will need to establish and implement the processes that you need to operate the EnMS and in particular the Significant Energy Uses (SEUs). You will need to consider the controls and procedures you require, including determining operating criteria for processes where their absence can lead to a significant deviation from the intended energy performance. Processes are also needed for operating and maintaining facilities, equipment, systems and energy-using processes, controlled change and outsourced SEUs or processes. You will also need to consider energy performance improvement opportunities in the design of new, modified or renovated facilities, equipment. You will also need to consider your procurement activities to ensure that suppliers are informed about your energy performance specifications for procured equipment and services is evaluated and that you evaluate and communicate accordingly.

As with other management standards ISO 50001 incorporates performance evaluation requirements to monitor, measure, analyse and ultimately improve against the energy performance you have determined. You will need to consider what needs to be monitored, how (for example using calibrated equipment), when, and the evaluation and communication of results. You will need to incorporate the evaluation of compliance with legal and other requirements and consider aspects such as records and monitoring. You will need to conduct internal audits and hold management reviews to ensure that your system is working effectively and to identify opportunities to improve both energy performance and the EnMS itself. Improvement includes addressing nonconformities and corrective actions and also focusing on improving energy performance both by reducing adverse aspects and increasing the beneficial elements.

For additional guidance to the clauses the standard includes a useful Annex A which gives expansion and explanation of what is required.  Annex B is included to show the changes between the 2011 and 2018 versions of ISO 50001.

Overall, this standard provides the basis for establishing and maintaining an effective energy management system.  Whatever sector you operate in, and whatever the size of your organisation, we can support you to build, integrate and maintain a robust and effective system through to certification.

Any organisation - whether production or service based, for profit or non-profit, large or small - can use ISO 50001 as a tool to establish and develop an energy management system and better manage their energy performance activities. Using the standard as a guide, and with your focus on improving your energy performance the aim is to “say what you do” and to “do what you say”. We can fully support you to develop and document your energy management system (EnMS) - not just to meet the requirements of the standard but to reflect the way you actually work. We can work closely with you to help you to meet the requirements in the most effective ways, identifying any “gaps” and recommending improvements. We can help you to identify opportunities from synergy with other standards that you may have in place (such as ISO 9001).

Our approach is always to work closely with you to prepare, support, and make any changes needed to bridge the gaps and prepare for audit and external certification. Successful compliance with ISO 50001 requires planning, commitment, and resources. But we are here to help you every step of the way, and we have the expertise to fully support you as your business grows.  

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) does not carry out certification directly but there are many certification bodies who can audit organisations and issue ISO 50001 certificates. In the UK, ISO 50001 certification is most beneficial through one of the certification bodies accredited by UKAS. UKAS is the UK’s National Accreditation Body for certification, calibration, inspection, and testing services. As such, they are the only authority recognised by the UK Government and major purchasers.

We can help you to choose a UKAS-accredited certification body and support you through the certification process by preparing documentation, training and mentoring, reviewing, auditing and improving your Energy Management System. We can fully support you to continue developing your system beyond certification so that it always meets the needs of the standard and your business. We can also help you in the incorporation of other allied management system standards such as ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.

Gaining and maintaining ISO 50001 certification will demonstrate the integrity and effectiveness of your energy management system, the processes you use and the people that work within them. It will enable you to demonstrate your improvement in measurable ways, showing your energy efficiency, energy use and consumption compared to your baseline. To prepare we can work closely with you to identify your gaps and synergies against the requirements of the standard, and to develop a workable action plan to achieve your certification in the most efficient way.

You may just be starting out and want help to build your system and establish your energy measures from scratch. This may be your first interaction with ISO standards and certification, or maybe you already have an ISO 9001-based system that you can consider integrating with. Even if you are experienced with management systems but need to improve the overall effectiveness of what you have, we can help you. It will need planning, commitment, and resources and the amount of work involved will depend on factors such as your current stage of development, the size and complexity of your organisation and the number of people involved. Our effective project management and extensive know-how will support your schedule and budget with the resources tailored to help you at every stage.

Whether you are approaching ISO 50001 for the first time, or you already have ISO 9001 in place as a basis, there are requirements to define and maintain your energy policy, your processes, procedures and records. However, the good news is that you have flexibility in how you choose to document and format your EnMS as long as it is relevant and maintained and supports conformity with the standard. There are mandatory requirements for such items as risks and opportunities, objectives , plans and energy targets, your energy review and measures including your identification and analysis of your significant energy uses (SEUs). You will need to consider and document your energy performance indicators (EnPIs) to enable you to demonstrate your energy performance improvement and must establish collection and documentation of your energy baseline and energy data collection plan. You will need to consider other documentation such as for your design activities related to energy performance, your procedures for establishing the accuracy and repeatability of your measurement equipment, and for improvement activities.

You will be required to demonstrate evidence of competence and communication, and of monitoring, measurement analysis and evaluation results, along with such areas as internal audits, corrective actions and management reviews. You will need to retain evidence and data to demonstrate your results, including your investigations and actions arising from significant deviations in energy performance.  The key is to be able to fully demonstrate your energy performance improvement as this is a required factor as part of the certification process. You will need to retain your records as factual evidence.

You have the opportunity to integrate your EnMS with your other management systems if you require. The key is to look at such things as how you actually perform your activities, what processes you use, who is involved and how you record your results. For certification you will need to show that your system is effective in planning, operation and control of your processes and provides evidence of continual improvement.

We can help you to build or update your energy management system to meet ISO 50001 requirements in the most effective ways. QFactorial can help you to design, describe and manage your system, and fully support your journey to certification- so that it meets the requirements of the standard and importantly works for your business.

How long is a piece of string?

You’re not a cookie-cutter company, so we don’t deal with cookie-cutter prices. But let’s talk about what makes up the cost of ISO certification:

• Finding out where you’re starting from, where you need to be and how to get there. (GSAAP).
• In house resources to manage and deliver the work plan.
• External consultants to help with parts of the plan that are outside your skills and experience (or time).
• Certification Body.
• Maintenance of your certification. Not just polishing the frame.

Depending on the size, scale and complexity of your organisation, you may need more or less consultancy time. We can work with you based on a specific number of days at an agreed rate, carefully scoped, fixed price work packages, or a combination of both to suit your budget.

There is a difference between certification and accreditation. In the UK there is only one government approved accreditation body (UKAS). When your customers are asking to see your ISO certification, they expect to see the UKAS logo alongside the certification body’s logo. Without this, your customer may reject the certificate and you may find you've a costly exercise to undo the commercial damage, upgrade your system and put yourself through the certification process all over again. We can help you choose a UKAS accredited certification body to make sure you aren’t going to get any awkward questions later.

We’ve been in this game a long time now and have developed a proven system of tackling the requirements of ISO certification with you. We begin with our Gap & Synergy Assessment with Action Plan (GSAAP for those acronym lovers) which shows us how close you already are to the standard requirements. We find, usually, that there are many more synergies than you’d expect - you’re running a successful business after all, aren’t you?

This gives us a head-start when creating the QMS and gives you the opportunity to get to know your consultant and confirm you enjoy working with us before embarking on the good ship certification. At this point you’re able to take the GSAAP and run, but of course we’d like to think you’d want to keep working with us to help you with the documentation (Stage 1) and implementation (Stage 2).

We help share the load by reviewing what you create, or creating things for your review - business manuals, process maps, policies and procedures, etc. Once this is all done, there’s a desktop audit by the certification body to check all your documentation complies with the rigours of your chosen standard - and yes, we can be involved in this as your advocate, interpreter, translator or referee. Stage 1 is all about ‘saying what you do’ as a business. But you can’t just say what you do, you also need to ‘do what you say’. Stage 2 is all about those documents coming off the page and becoming a ‘real’ entity in your business. The burden of proof is on you to show that your system, as you’ve set out in Stage 1, is working as you say it should be. It takes time to gather this body of evidence, anywhere from 2-3 months, and this evidence can take various forms. Our role during Stage 2 is to provide training, mentoring, internal audits and management reviews to ensure your business is ready for the Stage 2 external audit. It’s entirely normal for a few ‘nonconformities’ to arise, especially at this stage, but we’ll be there to help you deal with them and make sure you get that recommendation for certification.

At this point you’re able to take your new ISO Certificate, pat yourselves on the back for a job well done and send us on our merry way, happiness all round. However, we recommend you stick with us for this first year. Why? So we can help establish quarterly health checks to keep things ticking over. No one wants to be thrown into a full-blown panic 11 months down the line as the surveillance visit looms and you realise things have gotten a little wobbly. With us on board that little while longer, you can be sure that the gears are turning and the processes are followed so when the auditor returns, you’re armed and, if not dangerous, at least prepared.