ISO/WD 14002-2

Environmental management systems — Guidelines for using ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions within an environmental topic area — Part 2: Water

Systèmes de management environnemental — Lignes directrices pour l’utilisation de l’ISO 14001 afin de prendre en compte les conditions et aspects environnementaux dans le cadre d’une thématique environnementale donnée — Partie 2: Eau

General Information

• Status: Published
• ICS: 03.100.70 - Management systems
• ICS: 13.020.10 - Environmental management
• ICS: 13.060.01 - Water quality in general
• Technical Committee: ISO/TC 207/SC 1 - Environmental management systems
• Drafting Committee: ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 11 - Applying ISO 14001 framework to environmental aspects by topic areas
• Current Stage: 5020 - FDIS ballot initiated: 2 months. Proof sent to secretariat
• Start Date: 16-Feb-2023
• Completion Date: 16-Feb-2023

Standards Content (Sample)

FINAL
INTERNATIONAL ISO/FDIS
DRAFT
STANDARD 14002-2
ISO/TC 207/SC 1
Environmental management
Secretariat: BSI
systems — Guidelines for using ISO
Voting begins on:
2023-02-16 14001 to address environmental
aspects and conditions within an
Voting terminates on:
2023-04-13
environmental topic area —
Part 2:
Water
Systèmes de management environnemental — Lignes directrices pour
l’utilisation de l’ISO 14001 afin de prendre en compte les conditions
et aspects environnementaux dans le cadre d’une thématique
environnementale donnée —
Partie 2: Eau
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO
SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION
OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH
THEY ARE AWARE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING
DOCUMENTATION.
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
Reference number
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES,
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON
OCCASION HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE
LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BECOME STAN-
DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
NATIONAL REGULATIONS. © ISO 2023
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
FINAL
INTERNATIONAL ISO/FDIS
DRAFT
STANDARD 14002-2
ISO/TC 207/SC 1
Environmental management
Secretariat: BSI
systems — Guidelines for using ISO
Voting begins on:
14001 to address environmental
aspects and conditions within an
Voting terminates on:
environmental topic area —
Part 2:
Water
Systèmes de management environnemental — Lignes directrices pour
l’utilisation de l’ISO 14001 afin de prendre en compte les conditions
et aspects environnementaux dans le cadre d’une thématique
environnementale donnée —
Partie 2: Eau
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2023
ISO/CEN PARALLEL PROCESSING

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may

be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on

the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below

or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
RECIPIENTS OF THIS DRAFT ARE INVITED TO
ISO copyright office
SUBMIT, WITH THEIR COMMENTS, NOTIFICATION
OF ANY RELEVANT PATENT RIGHTS OF WHICH
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
THEY ARE AWARE AND TO PROVIDE SUPPOR TING
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
DOCUMENTATION.
Phone: [phone]
IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVALUATION AS
Reference number
Email: [e-mail]
BEING ACCEPTABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL, TECHNO-
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Website: www.iso.org
LOGICAL, COMMERCIAL AND USER PURPOSES,
DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS MAY ON
Published in Switzerland
OCCASION HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE
LIGHT OF THEIR POTENTIAL TO BECOME STAN-
DARDS TO WHICH REFERENCE MAY BE MADE IN
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
NATIONAL REGULATIONS. © ISO 2023
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Contents Page

Foreword ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................iv

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................v

1 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Normative references ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Terms and definitions .................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

4 Planning actions ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

4.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

4.2 Understanding the organization and its context related to water........................................................... 3

4.2.1 Conduct a water-related review ........................................................................................................................... 3

4.2.2 Review water-related environmental aspects and impacts ........................................................ 4

4.2.3 Determine risks and opportunities that need to be addressed ............................................... 5

4.2.4 Establish a baseline .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.5 Manage change ..................................................................................................................................................................... 6

4.3 Determine appropriate actions ............................................................................................................................................... 7

5 Taking action ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

5.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

5.2 Environmental objectives .......................................................................................................................................................... 10

5.3 Support actions ................................................................................................................................................................................... 11

5.4 Operational controls ....................................................................................................................................................................... 12

5.4.1 General .....................................................................................................................................................................................12

5.4.2 Types of control ................................................................................................................................................................12

5.4.3 Life cycle perspective ..................................................................................................................................................12

5.4.4 Emergency preparedness and response .................................................................................................... 13

5.5 Performance action ......................................................................................................................................................................... 14

5.6 Unintended consequences of actions taken ............................................................................................................... 14

6 Evaluating the effectiveness of actions .....................................................................................................................................15

6.1 General ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 15

6.2 Monitoring, measurement and analysis ....................................................................................................................... 15

6.2.1 General .....................................................................................................................................................................................15

6.2.2 Indicators of performance ...................................................................................................................................... 16

7 Improvement .........................................................................................................................................................................................................18

Annex A (informative) Example of a public water utility — Ames Community Water system ...........19

Annex B (informative) Example of a dairy cooperative — Pavitra Dairy Ltd. .....................................................23

Annex C (informative) Example of a chemical facility — AB Chemical ........................................................................27

Annex D (informative) Clarification of concepts .................................................................................................................................32

Bibliography .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................33

iii
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards

bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out

through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical

committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International

organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.

ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of

electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are

described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the

different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the

editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of

patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of

any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or

on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not

constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and

expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to

the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see

www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management,

Subcommittee SC 1, Environmental management systems, in collaboration with the European Committee

for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/SS S26, Environmental management, in accordance

with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).

A list of all parts in the ISO 14002 series can be found on the ISO website.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A

complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Introduction
0.1 Background

Water is a vital element for the functioning of all living systems on earth and therefore also for human

life and well-being. Ecosystems and related biodiversity, also seen as natural capital, can only deliver

their multiple values and provide their natural services when appropriately preserved, their resilience

maintained, and the respective planetary boundaries respected by economy and society. Protection of

water resources is an integral part of sustainable development and is essential for achieving the United

[25]

Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , specifically SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) and

SDG 14 (life below water). Furthermore, protection of water resources has an indirect impact on other

goals, such as SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG13 (climate

action) and SDG15 (life on land).

Many organizations apply the general ISO 14001 framework to manage their interactions with the

environment. This document provides guidance and examples focused on applying the ISO 14001

framework to address water-related environmental aspects and impacts, as well as water-related

environmental conditions and dependencies on water that can have an effect on the organization. It

supports organizations to plan action(s) where needed in relation to environmental impacts, and to

water dependencies and vulnerabilities at their site(s), in the watershed, and in the life cycle of their

products and services. This includes strategic planning and taking actions in relation to:

— protecting aquatic ecosystems and ecosystem services as well as related ecosystems contributing

to water balance (e.g. forests);
— protecting water supplies and ensuring water availability;
— minimizing the use of water and water consumption;
— protecting and enhancing water quality;

— adapting and responding to water-related environmental conditions, such as seawater rise, changing

precipitation patterns, or gradual changes in water availability and quality;
— preparing for foreseeable water-related events, such as flooding and droughts.

This document is designed for compatibility with other standards related to sustainable use and

protection of water resources. It is based on ISO 14002-1 and follows the same approach and order of

elements as ISO 14001 but does not address every subclause.
0.2 Risk-based approach

The document refers to water-related environmental aspects, environmental impacts, environmental

conditions, and the associated water-related risks and opportunities, including those across the

life cycle of an organization’s products and services, where appropriate. This document enables

organizations to address:

— actual and potential adverse or beneficial impacts on water resources and aquatic ecosystems,

originating from their activities or their supply chains;

— actual and potential effects on the organization itself, including risks and opportunities related to

the dependency on water.

Potential effects on the organization can include acute and chronic physical threats (e.g. from

extreme events such as the flooding of an organization’s premises, or the accumulation of pollution

in an organization’s water supply) as well as transitional risks and opportunities related to changes

in regulations, technology, the market, or to the organization’s reputation, and opportunities for

contributions to sustainable development from a life cycle perspective.
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)

The magnitude of water-related risks and opportunities is influenced by various context-related factors

(e.g. climatic, geographical, ecological, socio-economic, water footprint of the organization, applicable

compliance obligations), including:

— an organization’s vulnerability to water scarcity, water quality, changes in ecosystem services,

flooding, and climate change;

— the condition or quality of water bodies or aquatic ecosystems an organization has or can have an

impact on, or depends upon;

— increasing competition for water use or conflict over safe access to water resources in a particular

location;

— the condition of infrastructures, including water supply, distribution systems and wastewater

treatment.
0.3 Holistic approach to the management of water

An environmental management system according to ISO 14001 requires an organization to evaluate

its activities, products and services in order to determine its significant environmental aspects and

environmental conditions affecting the organization, as well as relevant risks and opportunities that

need to be addressed. This process involves applying a life cycle perspective as part of a comprehensive

evaluation of the various impacts an organization can have on the environment and how it depends on

it.

An organization that intends to focus its environmental management efforts on water should recognize

the interrelations of water with other environmental media and respective ecosystems. It should

be aware that the actions it plans and implements to improve water quality or availability can incur

adverse impacts on other environmental media like soil and air, or impacts on terrestrial ecosystems.

For example, aeration basins or ponds used in wastewater treatment can emit volatile organic

compounds to air, and taking action to enhance biodegradation of trichloroethylene in contaminated

groundwater can lead to the formation of intermediates or metabolites such as vinyl chloride that are

even more hazardous in the ecosystem, and to humans. To avoid such unintended consequences, this

document encourages an organization to take a holistic approach when managing water.

Figure 1 shows how ISO 14001 and the parts of the ISO 14002 series can be applied using a holistic

approach.
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Key
EMS environmental management system
Figure 1 — Interaction between ISO 14001 and the ISO 14002 series

0.4 Using this document to address the environmental topic area of water within an

environmental management system

An organization can use this document to help determine how best to address the sustainable use and

protection of water resources within an environmental management system. This can be related to, for

example:

— specific commitment(s) in the organization’s environmental policy, e.g. related to prevention of

water pollution, efficient use of water, preservation of aquatic ecosystems and related biodiversity,

or sustainable use of marine ecosystem services;

— one or more of its significant environmental aspects or compliance obligations related to water use,

water conservation, water pollution, aquatic ecosystems and species, ecosystem services, etc.;

— compliance with applicable legal requirements and permits;
— commitments related to an organization’s social responsibility;

— specific risks and opportunities that need to be addressed for water-related environmental

conditions or with regard to dependencies on water.
0.5 Case studies

The guidance provided in this document includes four case studies of organizations applying the

ISO 14001 framework to address water-related environmental aspects and environmental impacts,

environmental conditions, and the associated risks and opportunities that need to be addressed.

The organizations in these case studies are fictional, and serve as illustrative examples in diverse

contexts, including different industry sectors known to have water-related environmental aspects and

environmental impacts, and different geographic locations and environmental conditions. These cases

vii
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)

are provided to illustrate how this document can be applied, with examples from different settings and

perspectives, and are not intended as models or templates for applying ISO 14001 or this document.

The first of these cases represents a paper mill and is incorporated in the main body of the document,

with examples shown in each clause as appropriate. The other three cases, representing a water

utility, a dairy cooperative, and a chemical manufacturing facility, are provided for further reference in

Annexes A, B and C. Annex D provides clarification on the usage of some concepts and terminology in

this document to enhance user understanding.
0.6 Benefits
The benefits of applying this document can include:

— fulfilling compliance obligations related to water withdrawal, water consumption, water quality

and supporting public policies;

— enhancing environmental performance and fostering resilient ecosystems by achieving

environmental objectives through the management of water-related environmental aspects;

— protecting the environment through prevention or mitigation of adverse impacts on water resources

and ecosystems;

— preventing and mitigating water-related business risks and leveraging opportunities in an

organization’s operations and its supply chain, in response to changing environmental conditions;

— aligning the environmental management system with the organization’s strategic direction, e.g. to

support specific environmental policy or organizational commitments related to sustainable use

and protection of water resources;
— supporting water-related SDGs;

— contributing to compliance with international agreements and conventions related to water as well

as the transition to a circular economy (reduction, replacement and reuse of water).

These benefits can also lead to cost reductions, security of supply and production, better relations with

relevant interested parties, improved public image, or the maintenance of a social “licence to operate”.

viii
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FINAL DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for
using ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and
conditions within an environmental topic area —
Part 2:
Water
1 Scope

This document gives general guidelines for organizations seeking to address water-related

environmental aspects, environmental impacts, environmental conditions, and the associated risks

and opportunities within an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001.

The document addresses issues for environmental management related to water quantity and quality,

such as water withdrawal, efficient use of water, and water discharge, as well as approaches to cope

with water-related events such as flooding and droughts. The document considers the interconnections

of water with other environmental media and takes a holistic approach to the management of water

due to its impacts on ecosystems, ecosystem services, related biodiversity, as well as human life and

well-being.

This document is applicable to organizations irrespective of their size, type, financial resources,

location and sector. It is applicable to all types of water and considers a life cycle perspective.

2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 14001, Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use
3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14001 and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
environmental topic area

area of interest or concern for environmental management in an organization in relation to its

surroundings
[SOURCE: ISO 14002-1:2019, 3.1]
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
3.2
environmental aspect

element of an organization’s activities or products or services that interacts or can interact with the

environment

Note 1 to entry: An environmental aspect can cause (an) environmental impact(s) (3.4). A significant environmental

aspect is one that has or can have one or more significant environmental impact(s).

Note 2 to entry: Significant environmental aspects are determined by the organization applying one or more

criteria.
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.2]
3.3
environmental condition

state or characteristic of the environment as determined at a certain point in time

[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.3]
3.4
environmental impact

change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an

organization’s environmental aspects (3.2)
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.4]
3.5
risks and opportunities

potential adverse effects (threats) and potential beneficial effects (opportunities)

[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.11]
3.6
life cycle

consecutive and interlinked stages of a product (or service) system, from raw material acquisition or

generation from natural resources to final disposal

Note 1 to entry: The life cycle stages include acquisition of raw materials, design, production, transportation/

delivery, use, end-of-life treatment and final disposal.
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.3.3]
3.7
water consumption

portion of water use that is neither returned to the original water source after being withdrawn nor

available for reclamation
Note 1 to entry: Water consumption refers to water used by an organization.
[SOURCE: ISO 46001:2019, 3.31, modified — Note 1 to entry replaced.]
3.8
ecosystem

dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities, and their non-living environment

interacting as a functional entity

EXAMPLE Deserts, coral reefs, wetlands, rain forests, boreal forests, grasslands, urban parks, cultivated

farmlands.
Note 1 to entry: Ecosystems can be influenced by human activity.
[SOURCE: ISO 14008:2019, 3.1.6]
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
3.9
ecosystem service
benefit people obtain from ecosystems (3.8)

Note 1 to entry: These are generally distinguished into provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural

services. Ecosystem services include the provisioning of goods (e.g. food, fuel, raw materials, fibre), regulating

services (e.g. climate regulation, disease control), and non-material benefits (cultural services) (e.g. spiritual or

aesthetic benefits). The supporting services are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services (e.g.

soil formation, nutrient cycling, water cycling) and are also referred to as “ecosystem functions”.

Note 2 to entry: Ecosystem services are sometimes called “environmental services” or “ecological services”.

[SOURCE: ISO 14008:2019, 3.2.11]
3.10
leading indicator
metric that gives an indication of expected performance
[SOURCE: ISO 10014:2021, 3.9]
3.11
lagging indicator
metric that gives an indication of past performance
[SOURCE: ISO 10014:2021, 3.10]
4 Planning actions
4.1 General

An organization that has an interest in the sustainable use and protection of water resources, has

significant environmental aspects and impacts related to water, or has identified risks and opportunities

that need to be addressed due to effects of changing water-related environmental conditions should

undertake a planning process to determine appropriate actions. This process includes a commitment

by the organization’s leadership, as well as interested parties where relevant, to address water-related

interests and concerns, and should involve a review of information and circumstances to:

— gain an understanding of the organization’s context in relation to water;

— establish baselines for water-related environmental performance and conditions.

An organization can benefit from taking a broad perspective in this review, considering activities that

are connected to the water balance of the organization (i.e. related to water inputs and outputs), its sites

or units and other environmental aspects such as releases to soil or emissions to air (e.g. particulate

matter, acid rain precursors) that can lead to water pollution.
NOTE ISO 46001:2019, Annex C, provides guidance on preparing a water balance.
4.2 Understanding the organization and its context related to water
4.2.1 Conduct a water-related review

When deciding on appropriate actions, an organization should review and consider its internal and

external issues and circumstances in relation to water use, dependency, vulnerabilities and related

compliance obligations to be addressed in its environmental management system. This consideration

should also include taking a life cycle perspective of an organization’s products and services including

water-related impacts in their supply chain.

Gathering detailed information, including related strategies, objectives, and targets can be useful.

© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Important information for a review related to
...

© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:20222023(E)
Date: 2022-12-052023-02-02
ISO/TC 207/SC 1/WG 11
Secretariat: BSI
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for using
ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions
within an environmental topic area — Part 2: Water
---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
© ISO 2023

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of

this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or

mechanical, including photocopying, or posting on the internet or an intranet, without prior written

permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the

country of the requester.
ISO Copyright Office
CP 401 • CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: + 41 22 749 01 11
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland.
ii © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Contents Page

Foreword ......................................................................................................................................................................... iv

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... v

1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................................... 1

2 Normative references .................................................................................................................................... 1

3 Terms and definitions .................................................................................................................................... 1

4 Planning actions ............................................................................................................................................... 3

4.1 General ................................................................................................................................................................ 3

4.2 Understanding the organization and its context related to water ................................................ 3

4.2.1 Conduct a water-related review ................................................................................................................. 3

4.2.2 Review water-related environmental aspects and impacts ............................................................. 4

4.2.3 Determine risks and opportunities that need to be addressed ...................................................... 5

4.2.4 Establish a baseline ......................................................................................................................................... 6

4.2.5 Manage change ................................................................................................................................................. 6

4.3 Determine appropriate actions .................................................................................................................. 7

5 Taking action .................................................................................................................................................. 10

5.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 10

5.2 Environmental objectives .......................................................................................................................... 11

5.3 Support actions.............................................................................................................................................. 13

5.4 Operational controls ................................................................................................................................... 13

5.4.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 13

5.4.2 Types of control ............................................................................................................................................. 13

5.4.3 Life cycle perspective .................................................................................................................................. 14

5.4.4 Emergency preparedness and response .............................................................................................. 14

5.5 Performance action ...................................................................................................................................... 16

5.6 Unintended consequences of actions taken ........................................................................................ 16

6 Evaluating the effectiveness of actions ................................................................................................. 17

6.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 17

6.2 Monitoring, measurement and analysis ............................................................................................... 17

6.2.1 General ............................................................................................................................................................. 17

6.2.2 Indicators of performance ......................................................................................................................... 18

7 Improvement.................................................................................................................................................. 20

Annex A (informative) Example of a public water utility — Ames Community Water system ...... 21

Annex B (informative) Example of a dairy cooperative — Pavitra Dairy Ltd. ..................................... 25

Annex C (informative) Example of a chemical facility — AB Chemical .................................................. 29

Annex D (informative) Clarification of concepts ............................................................................................ 35

Bibliography ................................................................................................................................................................. 36

© ISO 2023 – All rights reserved iii
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ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards

bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out

through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical

committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International

organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO

collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of

electrotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are

described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the

different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the

editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of

patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any

patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on

the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not

constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and

expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the World

Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see

www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.

This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management,

Subcommittee SC 1, Environmental management systems, in collaboration with the European Committee

for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/SS S26, Environmental management, in accordance

with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).

A list of all parts in the ISO 14002 series can be found on the ISO website.

Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A

complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv © ISO 2023 – All rights reserved
---------------------- Page: 4 ----------------------
ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Introduction
0.1 Background

Water is a vital element for the functioning of all living systems on earth and therefore also for human life

and wellbeingwell-being. Ecosystems and related biodiversity, also seen as natural capital, can only

deliver their multiple values and provide their natural services when appropriately preserved, their

resilience maintained, and the respective planetary boundaries respected by economy and society.

Protection of water resources is an integral part of sustainable development and is essential for achieving

[25]

the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , specifically SDG 6 (clean water and

sanitation) and SDG 14 (life below water). Furthermore, protection of water resources has an indirect

impact on other goals, such as SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG12 (responsible consumption and production),

SDG13 (climate action) and SDG15 (life on land).

Many organizations apply the general ISO 14001 framework to manage their interactions with the

environment. This document provides guidance and examples focused on applying the ISO 14001

framework to address water-related environmental aspects and impacts, as well as water-related

environmental conditions and dependencies on water that can have an effect on the organization. It

supports organizations to plan action(s) where needed in relation to environmental impacts, and to water

dependencies and vulnerabilities at their site(s), in the watershed, and in the life cycle of their products

and services. This includes strategic planning and taking actions in relation to:

— protecting aquatic ecosystems and ecosystem services as well as related ecosystems contributing to

water balance (e.g. forests);
— protecting water supplies and ensuring water availability;
— minimizing the use of water and water consumption;
— protecting and enhancing water quality;

— adapting and responding to water-related environmental conditions, such as seawater rise, changing

precipitation patterns, or gradual changes in water availability and quality;
— preparing for foreseeable water-related events, such as flooding and droughts.

This document is designed for compatibility with other standards related to sustainable use and

protection of water resources. It is based on ISO 14002-1 and follows the same approach and order of

elements as ISO 14001 but does not address every sub-clause subclause. This document is not intended

to increase or change an organization’s legal requirements and international agreements or legislations.

0.2 Risk-based approach

The document refers to water-related environmental aspects, environmental impacts, environmental

conditions, and the associated water-related risks and opportunities, including those across the life cycle

of an organization’s products and services, where appropriate. This document enables organizations to

address:

— actual and potential adverse or beneficial impacts on water resources and aquatic ecosystems,

originating from their activities or their supply chains;

— actual and potential effects on the organization itself, including risks and opportunities related to the

dependency on water.

Potential effects on the organization can include acute and chronic physical threats (e.g. from extreme

events such as the flooding of an organization’s premises, or the accumulation of pollution in an

organization’s water supply) as well as transitional risks and opportunities related to changes in

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regulations, technology, the market, or to the organization’s reputation, and opportunities for

contributions to sustainable development from a life cycle perspective.

The magnitude of water-related risks and opportunities is influenced by various context-related factors

(e.g. climatic, geographical, ecological, socio-economic, water footprint of the organization, applicable

compliance obligations), including:

— an organization’s vulnerability to water scarcity, water quality, changes in ecosystem services,

flooding, and climate change;

— the condition or quality of water bodies or aquatic ecosystems an organization has or can have an

impact on, or depends upon;

— increasing competition for water use or conflict over safe access to water resources in a particular

location;

— the condition of infrastructures, including water supply, distribution systems and wastewater

treatment.
0.3 Holistic approach to the management of water

An environmental management system according to ISO 14001 requires an organization to evaluate its

activities, products and services in order to determine its significant environmental aspects and

environmental conditions affecting the organization, as well as relevant risks and opportunities that need

to be addressed. This process involves applying a life cycle perspective as part of a comprehensive

evaluation of the various impacts an organization can have on the environment and how it depends on it.

An organization that intends to focus its environmental management efforts on water should recognize

the interrelations of water with other environmental media and respective ecosystems. It should be

aware that the actions it plans and implements to improve water quality or availability can incur adverse

impacts on other environmental media like soil and air, or impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. For

example, aeration basins or ponds used in wastewater treatment can emit volatile organic compounds to

air, and taking action to enhance biodegradation of trichloroethylene in contaminated groundwater can

lead to the formation of intermediates or metabolites such as vinyl chloride that are even more hazardous

in the ecosystem, and to humans. To avoid such unintended consequences, this document encourages an

organization to take a holistic approach when managing water.

Figure 1 shows how ISO 14001 and the parts of the ISO 14002 series can be applied using a holistic

approach.
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Key
EMS environmental management system
Figure 1 — Interaction between ISO 14001 and the ISO 14002 series

0.4 Using this document to address the environmental topic area of water within an

environmental management system

An organization can use this document to help determine how best to address the sustainable use and

protection of water resources within an environmental management system. This can be related to, for

example:

— specific commitment(s) in the organization’s environmental policy, e.g. related to prevention of

water pollution, efficient use of water, preservation of aquatic ecosystems and related biodiversity,

or sustainable use of marine ecosystem services;

— one or more of its significant environmental aspects or compliance obligations related to water use,

water conservation, water pollution, aquatic ecosystems and species, ecosystem services, etc.;

— compliance with applicable legal requirements and permits;
— commitments related to an organization’s social responsibility;

— specific risks and opportunities that need to be addressed for water-related environmental

conditions or with regard to dependencies on water.
0.5 Case studies

The guidance provided in this document includes four case studies of organizations applying the

ISO 14001 framework to address water-related environmental aspects and environmental impacts,

environmental conditions, and the associated risks and opportunities that need to be addressed. The

organizations in these case studies are fictional, and serve as illustrative examples in diverse contexts,

including different industry sectors known to have water-related environmental aspects and

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environmental impacts, and different geographic locations and environmental conditions. These cases

are provided to illustrate how this document can be applied, with examples from different settings and

perspectives, and are not intended as models or templates for applying ISO 14001 or this document.

The first of these cases represents a paper mill and is incorporated in the main body of the document,

with examples shown in each clause as appropriate. The other three cases, representing a water utility, a

dairy cooperative, and a chemical manufacturing facility, are provided for further reference in Annexes A,

B and C. Annex D provides clarification on the usage of some concepts and terminology in this document

to enhance user understanding.
0.6 Benefits
The benefits of applying this document can include:

— fulfilling compliance obligations related to water withdrawal, water consumption, water quality and

supporting public policies;

— enhancing environmental performance and fostering resilient ecosystems by achieving

environmental objectives through the management of water-related environmental aspects;

— protecting the environment through prevention or mitigation of adverse impacts on water resources

and ecosystems;

— preventing and mitigating water-related business risks and leveraging opportunities in an

organization’s operations and its supply chain, in response to changing environmental conditions;

— aligning the environmental management system with the organization’s strategic direction, e.g. to

support specific environmental policy or organizational commitments related to sustainable use and

protection of water resources;
— supporting water-related SDGs;

— contributing to compliance with international agreements and conventions related to water as well

as the transition to a circular economy (reduction, replacement, and reuse of water).

These benefits can also lead to cost reductions, security of supply and production, better relations with

relevant interested parties, improved public image, or the maintenance of a social “licence to operate”.

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FINAL DRAFT INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO/FDIS 14002-2:2023(E)
Environmental management systems — Guidelines for using
ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions
within an environmental topic area — Part 2: Water
1 Scope

This document gives general guidelines for organizations seeking to address water-related

environmental aspects, environmental impacts, environmental conditions, and the associated risks and

opportunities within an environmental management system in accordance with ISO 14001.

The document addresses issues for environmental management related to water quantity and quality,

such as water withdrawal, efficient use of water, and water discharge, as well as approaches to cope with

water-related events such as flooding and droughts. The document considers the interconnections of

water with other environmental media and takes a holistic approach to the management of water due to

its impacts on ecosystems, ecosystem services, related biodiversity, as well as human life and well-being.

This document is applicable to organizations irrespective of their size, type, financial resources, location

and sector. It is applicable to all types of water and considers a life cycle perspective.

2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content

constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For

undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 14001, Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use
3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14001 and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:

— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
environmental topic area

area of interest or concern for environmental management in an organization in relation to its

surroundings
[SOURCE: ISO 14002-1:2019, 3.1]
3.2
environmental aspect

element of an organization’s activities or products or services that interacts or can interact with the

environment
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Note 1 to entry: An environmental aspect can cause (an) environmental impact(s) (3.4). A significant environmental

aspect is one that has or can have one or more significant environmental impact(s).

Note 2 to entry: Significant environmental aspects are determined by the organization applying one or more

criteria.
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.2]
3.3
environmental condition

state or characteristic of the environment as determined at a certain point in time

[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.3]
3.4
environmental impact

change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an

organization’s environmental aspects (3.2)
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.4]
3.5
risks and opportunities

potential adverse effects (threats) and potential beneficial effects (opportunities)

[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.2.11]
3.6
life cycle

consecutive and interlinked stages of a product (or service) system, from raw material acquisition or

generation from natural resources to final disposal

Note 1 to entry: The life cycle stages include acquisition of raw materials, design, production,

transportation/delivery, use, end-of-life treatment and final disposal.
[SOURCE: ISO 14001:2015, 3.3.3]
3.7
water consumption

portion of water use that is neither returned to the original water source after being withdrawn nor

available for reclamation
Note 1 to entry: Water consumption refers to water used by an organization.

[SOURCE: ISO 46001:2019, 3.31, modified — Note 1 to entry deleted and new Note 1 to entry

addedreplaced.]
3.8
ecosystem

dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities, and their non-living environment

interacting as a functional entity

EXAMPLE Deserts, coral reefs, wetlands, rain forests, boreal forests, grasslands, urban parks, cultivated

farmlands.
Note 1 to entry: Ecosystems can be influenced by human activity.
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[SOURCE: ISO 14008:2019, 3.1.6]
3.9
ecosystem service
benefit people obtain from ecosystems (3.8)

Note 1 to entry: These are generally distinguished into provisioning, regulating, supporting and cultural services.

Ecosystem services include the provisioning of goods (e.g. food, fuel, raw materials, fibre), regulating services (e.g.

climate regulation, disease control), and non-material benefits (cultural services) (e.g. spiritual or aesthetic

benefits). The supporting services are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services (e.g. soil

formation, nutrient cycling, water cycling) and are also referred to as “ecosystem functions”.

Note 2 to entry: Ecosystem services are sometimes called “environmental services” or “ecological services”.

[SOURCE: ISO 14008:2019, 3.2.11]
3.10
leading indicator
metric that gives an indication of expected performance
[SOURCE: ISO 10014:2021, 3.9]
3.11
lagging indicator
metric that gives an indication of past performance
[SOURCE: ISO 10014:2021, 3.10]
4 Planning actions
4.1 General

An organization that has an interest in the sustainable use and protection of water resources, has

significant environmental aspects and impacts related to water, or has identified risks and opportunities

that need to be addressed due to effects of changing water-related environmental conditions, should

undertake a planning process to determine appropriate actions. This process includes a commitment by

the organization’s leadership, as well as interested parties where relevant, to address water-related

interests and concerns, and should involve a review of information and circumstances to:

— gain an understanding of the organization’s context in relation to water;

— establish baselines for water-related environmental performance and conditions.

An organization can benefit from taking a broad perspective in this review, considering activities that are

connected to the water balance of the organization (i.e. related to water inputs and outputs), its sites or

units and other environmental aspects such as releases to soil or emissions to air (e.g. particulate matter,

acid rain precursors) that can lead to water pollution.
NOTE ISO 46001:2019, Annex C, provides guidance on preparing a water balance.
4.2 Understanding the organization and its context related to water
4.2.1 Conduct a water-related review

When deciding on appropriate actions, an organization should review and consider its internal and

external issues and circumstances in relation to water use, dependency, vulnerabilities and related

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compliance obligations to be addressed in its environmental management system. This consideration

should also include taking a life cycle perspective of an organization’s products and services including

water-related impacts in their supply chain.

Gathering detailed information, including related strategies, objectives, and targets can be useful.

Important information for a review related to water should include operational and watershed-related

information, and information related to the organization’s environmental aspects and impacts. This can

include, for example:

— informationInformation related to the watershed, water source or water body, including:

— the status of water availability, extraction and limits on access to water, (e.g. over withdrawal

from water catchment, and water conflicts);

— geographic features or characteristics of the site (e.g. drainage, river basin);

— sensitivity of ecosystems to changes in water quantity and quality;

— local water sources, river basin and catchment information (e.g. water balance, water quality,

important water-related areas, other water users, governance framework), considering

national and transboundary situations;

— situations that can lead to overexploitationover-exploitation of aquatic ecosystems (e.g.

overfishing, mass tourism, energy production);
— informationInformation related to the organization’s operations, including:

— the quantity of water used (water withdrawn, consumed, lost or returned to the original water

source);

— characteristics of wastewater generated, (e.g. the level of treatment, treatment capacity, and

effluent quality);
— the quality of water required for the organization’s activities;

— identified water-related events or conditions that can affect the organization (e.g. floods,

drought, threats to water quality, consequences of climate change);
— interested parties and their relevant needs or expectations;

— specific compliance obligations (e.g. permits, licences, voluntary agreements).

4.2.2 Review water-related environmental aspects and impacts

When deciding on the appropriate actions, an organization should review the environmental aspects of

its activities that can have an impact on water (use, quality, conditions) and aquatic ecosystems, and

identify those that that are significant and that it will address in its environmental management system.

An organization should examine the water inputs and outputs from its activities as well in the different

stages of the life cycle of its products and services and consider the relevant needs and expectations of its

interested parties, (e.g. using a water balance chart).
Information related to water inputs and outputs can include:
— current water sources (e.g. water bodies, precipitation, groundwater);
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— current water uses (e.g. drinking, cleaning, cooling water, irrigation, industrial process, ingredient of

products), water quality and quantity;
— current wa
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