International Standards Organization (ISO) 14000 

ISO 14000 is a series of voluntary standards designed to help firms worldwide create and maintain effective environmental management systems. ISO 14000 is generating much interest and debate worldwide and is recognized as a potentially powerful catalyst for sustainability initiatives among business and industry.

The International Standards Organization located in Geneva, Switzerland, was founded in 1947 to promote the international harmonization and development of manufacturing, product and communication standards. ISO developed the 14000 series to facilitate the rapidly growing interest in sustainability issues among consumers and governments into the main stream of corporate decision making.

The U.S. EPA Voluntary Standards Network provides fact sheets and information on ISO 14000, descriptions of its importance and implications for business and industry, and information on how to participate.

Mary C. McKiel, Program Officer
EPA Standards Network
OPPT-7409
401 M Street, SW
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: (202) 260-3584
Fax: (202) 260-0178
E-mail

On-line Articles and Publications

"Global Green Standards: ISO 14000 and Sustainable Development" (pdf format)

"ISO 14000 and Business Strategy: An Annotated Bibliography" (pdf)

"Combining the Natural Step and ISO 14000"

Publications

Business and the Environment - ISO 14000 Update, Aspen Publishers, 2002.

The ISO Handbook, SAE International, 1996. ISBN 1-8883337-05-4

Inside ISO 14000: The Competitive Advantage of Environmental Management, St. Lucie Press, 1996. ISBN 1-57444-028-4

Last updated: April 7, 2003

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