ISO 50001 energy management systems: benefits for businesses

Archived interview in the context of ISO 50001’s publication in 2011. Earlier standards are cited as historical background.

This is a win-win approach, according to Nguyen Kinh Luan, a consultant to the Energy Conservation Office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. He shared this view with Vietnam Economic News at a seminar on ISO 50001 energy management systems.

What is an energy-management model?

The Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy requires designated major energy users to implement an energy-management model. What does such a model involve?

Nguyen Kinh Luan, consultant to the Energy Conservation Office, Ministry of Industry and Trade

An energy-management model provides a framework based on a selected standard for establishing a company’s energy management system. Before ISO published ISO 50001 in 2011, examples included Europe’s EN 16001:2009, the United States’ ANSI/MSE 2000 and China’s GB/T 23331:2009. The interview described six common elements:

• Leadership commitment and an energy policy.
• An organisational structure for energy management.
• Mechanisms to motivate, train and develop people.
• Energy monitoring and measurement.
• Communication and promotion.
• Funding for energy-saving projects.

For each criterion, the interview described five maturity levels, from absence to full development, to consider a company’s energy-management capability.

What benefits does an energy management system bring?

Energy management can be understood as organising energy use rationally and efficiently to improve profitability, reduce costs and strengthen competitiveness. An energy management system helps a company use energy more efficiently and reduce production costs. It can also lessen environmental impacts, improve working conditions and strengthen the company's reputation and competitiveness.

What should a business do to establish an energy management system?

A company cannot perfect its system immediately; it needs to develop it step by step. The starting point is leadership awareness. Understanding the benefits and committing to implementation are prerequisites for success. Management should appoint an energy manager to coordinate activities, develop the energy policy, establish responsibilities and prepare action plans, gradually meeting the requirements and guidance of the energy management standard ISO 50001.

Documenting procedures and integrating systems

Documenting responsibilities and procedures for each activity and role can take time when implementing ISO 50001, and experienced consultants may help. Companies already using ISO 9001 for quality management or standards in the ISO 14000 environmental-management family will recognise common elements. Integrating these into one system can reduce the time required to develop procedures.

Original source attribution: http://www.isovietnam.vn/tin-tuc-nghanh/592-tu-van-iso-90012015.html