SIST EN ISO 14002-2:2023
(Main)Environmental management systems - Guidelines for using ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions within an environmental topic area - Part 2: Water (ISO 14002-2:2023)
Environmental management systems - Guidelines for using ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and conditions within an environmental topic area - Part 2: Water (ISO 14002-2:2023)
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.
Umweltmanagementsysteme - Leitlinien für die Nutzung von ISO 14001 zur Behandlung von Umweltaspekten und -zuständen innerhalb eines Umweltthemengebiets - Teil 2: Wasser
Dieses Dokument enthält allgemeine Leitlinien für Organisationen, die sich mit wasserbezogenen Umwelt- aspekten, Umweltauswirkungen, Umweltzuständen und den damit verbundenen Risiken und Chancen inner
halb eines Umweltmanagementsystems nach ISO14001 befassen wollen.
Das Dokument behandelt Umweltmanagementthemen in Bezug auf Wassermenge und Wasserqualität, z.B. Wasserentnahme, effiziente Nutzung von Wasser, Wassereinleitung, sowie Ansätze zum Umgang mit wasser
bezogenen Ereignissen wie Hochwasser und Dürren. Im Dokument werden die Zusammenhänge zwischen Wasser und anderen Umweltmedien betrachtet und es wird ein ganzheitlicher Ansatz für das Management von Wasser gewählt, da dieses Auswirkungen auf Ökosysteme, Ökosystemleistungen, die damit
hängende biologische Vielfalt sowie das Leben und Wohlbefinden der Menschen hat.
Dieses Dokument ist anwendbar für Organisationen unabhängig ihrer Größe, Art, finanziellen Ressourcen, Standort und Branche. Es ist anwendbar für alle Arten von Wasser und bezieht eine Lebenswegbetrachtung mit ein.
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 14002-2:2023)
Le présent document donne des lignes directrices à l’attention des organismes qui souhaitent aborder les aspects environnementaux, les impacts environnementaux, les conditions environnementales en lien avec l’eau, ainsi que les risques et opportunités associés dans le cadre d’un système de management environnemental conforme à l’ISO 14001.
Le document aborde les questions de management environnemental liées à la quantité et à la qualité de l’eau, telles que le prélèvement d’eau, l’utilisation efficiente de l’eau et les rejets liquides, ainsi que les approches pour faire face aux événements liés à l’eau, tels que les inondations et les sécheresses. Le document prend en compte les interconnexions de l’eau avec d’autres milieux environnementaux et adopte une approche holistique de la gestion de l’eau en raison de ses impacts sur les écosystèmes, les services écosystémiques, la biodiversité associée, ainsi que sur la vie et le bien-être des êtres humains.
Le présent document s’applique aux organismes, quels que soient leur taille, leur type, leurs ressources financières, leur localisation et leur secteur d’activité. Il est applicable à tous les types d’eaux et prend en compte la perspective du cycle de vie.
Sistemi ravnanja z okoljem - Smernice za uporabo ISO 14001 pri upoštevanju okoljskega vidika in pogojev znotraj okoljskih tematskih področij - 2. del: Voda (ISO 14002-2:2023)
Ta dokument podaja splošne smernice za organizacije, ki želijo obravnavati z vodo povezane okoljske vidike, vplive na okolje, okoljske pogoje ter z njimi povezana tveganja in priložnosti v sklopu sistema ravnanja z okoljem skladno s standardom ISO 14001.
Dokument obravnava vprašanja ravnanja z okoljem, ki je povezano s količino in kakovostjo vode, na primer odvzem vode, učinkovita raba vode in izpust vode, ter pristope za obvladovanje z vodo povezanih dogodkov, kot so poplave in suše. Dokument upošteva medsebojno povezanost vode z drugimi okoljskimi mediji in celostno pristopa k upravljanju vode zaradi njenega vpliva na ekosisteme, ekosistemske storitve, z njimi povezano biotsko raznovrstnost, ter na življenje in dobro počutje ljudi.
Ta dokument se uporablja za organizacije ne glede na njihovo velikost, vrsto, finančna sredstva, lokacijo in panogo. Uporablja se za vse vrste voda in upošteva vidik življenjskega cikla.
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2023
Sistemi ravnanja z okoljem - Smernice za uporabo ISO 14001 pri upoštevanju
okoljskega vidika in pogojev znotraj okoljskih tematskih področij - 2. del: Voda
(ISO 14002-2:2023)
Environmental management systems - Guidelines for using ISO 14001 to address
environmental aspects and conditions within an environmental topic area - Part 2: Water
(ISO 14002-2:2023)
Umweltmanagementsysteme - Leitlinien für die Nutzung von ISO 14001 zur Behandlung
von Umweltaspekten und -zuständen innerhalb eines Umweltthemengebiets - Teil 2:
Wasser
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 14002-2:2023)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 14002-2:2023
ICS:
03.100.70 Sistemi vodenja Management systems
13.020.10 Ravnanje z okoljem Environmental management
13.060.01 Kakovost vode na splošno Water quality in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EN ISO 14002-2
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
May 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 03.100.70; 13.020.10; 13.060.01
English Version
Environmental management systems - Guidelines for using
ISO 14001 to address environmental aspects and
conditions within an environmental topic area - Part 2:
Water (ISO 14002-2:2023)
Systèmes de management environnemental - Lignes Umweltmanagementsysteme - Leitlinien für die
directrices pour l'utilisation de l'ISO 14001 afin de Nutzung von ISO 14001 zur Behandlung von
prendre en compte les conditions et aspects Umweltaspekten und -zuständen innerhalb eines
environnementaux dans le cadre d'une thématique Umweltthemengebiets - Teil 2: Wasser (ISO 14002-
environnementale donnée - Partie 2: Eau (ISO 14002- 2:2023)
2:2023)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 14 May 2023.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 14002-2:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
European foreword
This document (EN ISO 14002-2:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207
"Environmental management" in collaboration with CCMC.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2023, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2023.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards
body/national committee. A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the
United Kingdom.
Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 14002-2:2023 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 14002-2:2023 without any
modification.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14002-2
First edition
2023-05
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
Reference number
ISO 14002-2:2023(E)
ISO 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. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii
ISO 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 . 11
5.3 Support actions . 12
5.4 Operational controls . 12
5.4.1 General .12
5.4.2 Types of control .12
5.4.3 Life cycle perspective .13
5.4.4 Emergency preparedness and response . 14
5.5 Performance action . 15
5.6 Unintended consequences of actions taken . 15
6 Evaluating the effectiveness of actions .16
6.1 General . 16
6.2 Monitoring, measurement and analysis . 16
6.2.1 General . 16
6.2.2 Indicators of performance . 17
7 Improvement .18
Annex A (informative) Example of a public water utility — Ames Community Water system.20
Annex B (informative) Example of a dairy cooperative — Pavitra Dairy Ltd. .24
Annex C (informative) Example of a chemical facility — AB Chemical .28
Annex D (informative) Clarification of concepts .33
Bibliography .34
iii
ISO 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 document 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).
ISO draws attention to the possibility that the implementation of this document may involve the use
of (a) patent(s). ISO takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of any claimed
patent rights in respect thereof. As of the date of publication of this document, ISO had not received
notice of (a) patent(s) which may be required to implement this document. However, implementers are
cautioned that this may not represent the latest information, which may be obtained from the patent
database available at www.iso.org/patents. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all
such patent rights.
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 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) 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 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.
v
ISO 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.
vi
ISO 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
ISO 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:
— supporting the fulfilment of compliance obligations related to water withdrawal, water consumption,
water quality and 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
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 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]
ISO 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]
ISO 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 14002-2:2023(E)
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:
— information 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, 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 over-exploitation of aquatic ecosystems (e.g. overfishing, mass
tourism, energy production);
— information 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 (e.g. using a water
balance chart) as well as its products and services and consider the relevant needs and expectations of
its interested parties.
Information related to water inputs and outputs can include:
— current water sources (e.g. water bodies, precipitation, groundwater);
— current water uses (e.g. drinking, cleaning, cooling water, irrigation, industrial process, ingredient
of products), water quality and quantity;
— current water reuse, recycling and recirculation;
— current water discharges;
— potential conflicts of water users.
Process flow diagrams and water balance charts for the organization, its sites or its units can help
to understand the inputs and outputs of an organization’s activities, and the potential water-related
environmental aspects.
ISO 14002-2:2023(E)
An organization should also consider its water-related environmental aspects and impacts from all
applicable stages of the life cycle of its products and services, including those resulting from the use of
its products and services. Product-related environmental aspects and impacts are important inputs to
the product design and procurement processes, including use of water in the production phase as well
as water that is embedded in the product itself.
NOTE Water embedded in a product can be determined with a water footprint. This can be important
for companies in sectors such as agriculture, food and beverage, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical
devices and cosmetics.
An organization should consider the potential effects originating from the dependency on and
vulnerability to water. This can include considerations of:
— nearby water sources the organization relies on and that are impacted by other organizations using
the same water source, or by environmental conditions;
— the impact of activities along the supply chain on water resources, if relevant;
— the impact of water consumption and water pollution on the environment including aquatic and
terrestrial ecosystems, and local communities.
4.2.3 Determine risks and opportunities that need to be addressed
Taking into consideration the issues identified as part of the context of the organization (see 4.2),
including water-related environmental conditions, dependencies on water, as well as compliance
obligations, the identified environmental aspects and impacts (see 4.2.2), and the effectiveness of
existing control measures, an organization should determine the water-related risks and opportunities
and prioritize those to be addressed to achieve the intended outcomes and policy commitments of its
environmental management system. This can help to prevent undesired or unintended impacts on the
environment or effects on the organization itself.
There are many techniques that can be applied for evaluating water-related risks and opportunities
to determine what needs to be addressed. When carrying out the analysis, it can be prudent to involve
internal and external interested parties. They can bring information pertinent to the analysis of risks
and opportunities, and some of the risks and opportunities can also affect them. An organization can
benefit from applying a perspective that takes into account what is important and relevant (material)
for its interested parties to determine how and where to prioritize and focus its response and strategy.
Table 1 provides an example of an organization in the paper sector and its priorities for taking action
(what needs to be addressed). Annexes A to C provide additional examples in other sectors.
ISO 14002-2:2023(E)
Table 1 — Organizational context and priorities for taking action —
Example from Salmo Papers
What needs to be addressed
Circumstances and context
(Significant environmental aspects/identified
risks and opportunities for the organization)
Salmo Papers (SP) is a manufacturer of graphic paper for Protection of ecosystems and interests of local
periodicals and books that has been in business for over communities including preserving aesthetic
100 years. The company’s environmental management value for recreational purposes.
system is ISO 14001 certified. SP operates a paper mill
Wastewater discharge and threats to fresh water
and recycling facility situated on the coast in Northern
quality.
Europe by one of the finest salmon rivers in the region.
The river flows into an ocean fjord with a unique aquatic
Water consumption due to threats from decreasing
ecosystem. Both the river and the fjord are areas of
river water availability.
outstanding natural value, and SP has adapted their
Compliance with legal and other obligations.
operations to the conditions of the natural environment,
even before the enactment of related legislation. Fresh
water is sourced from a system of rivers and lakes that
is governed by the mill with considerations both to local
habitants, and sustaining suitable amounts of freshwater
for the wildlife downstream.
Impermeable surface areas (rooftops, paved surfaces) at
the site collect rainwater during storm events, and this
water is discharged to the adjacent river. Water from
the river is also used to cool some equipment used in the
paper mill.
SP discharges to a wastewater treatment plant, with
limits on total suspended solids (TSS), biological oxygen
demand (BOD), total organic carbon (TOC), and tempera-
ture, to ensure that the effluent does not have an adverse
impact on aquatic life. The regulatory authority has also
established requirements for the monitoring and control
of storm water discharge.
The owners of SP expect the facility to comply with all
environmental laws and regulations, and have
established environmental policy commitments to
reduce water consumption.
4.2.4 Establish a baseline
The organization should establish baselines where appropriate for water-related environmental
aspects, environmental impacts and environmental conditions using the information available from
its review, as a reference point for comparison of performance. Baseline references can be absolute
or can be normalized using variables that affect water use, water consumption or water quality (see
also 6.2.2). A baseline reference can be adjusted if needed, for example, following major changes to an
organization’s processes, operations, facilities, or equipment that affect water use or consumption, or
major changes in environmental conditions (see 4.2.5).
4.2.5 Manage change
An organization’s environmental aspects, and environmental impacts, its dependencies on water, and
the associated risks and opportunities can change (temporarily or permanently) over time as well
as its priorities for taking action to address them. The evaluation of risks and opportunities should
be reviewed and updated routinely to ensure the environmental management system can achieve
intended outcomes, especially following changes in the context of the organization, major changes
to its processes, or modification and refurbishments to its facilities or equipment. If changes to the
environmental management system are necessary, the change(s) should be planned and implemented
ISO 14002-2:2023(E)
following the organization’s processes for planning action, and communicated to those affected by the
change(s).
NOTE The following standards and references can be helpful in relation to 4.2:
— ISO 14001:2015, Clause A.4, and ISO 14004:2016, Clause 4, provide additional guidance on the context of the
organization.
— ISO 14046 provides principles, requirements and guidance in relation to water footprint assessment, and
ISO/TR 14073 provides illustrative examples on the application of ISO 14046.
— ISO 14001:2015, A.6.1.2, and ISO 14004:2016, 6.1.2, provide additional guidance on determining environmental
aspects and impacts.
— ISO/TR 14073:2017, Table 7, provides additional guidance on water-related environmental aspects and
impacts.
— ISO 26000 provides additional guidance on identification and engagement with interested parties.
— ISO 31000 and ISO 14004:2016, 6.1, provide additional guidance on risk management. IEC 31010:2019,
Annex B, provides additional guidance on risk assessment methods.
— ISO 14004:2016, Practical Help
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