ISO 50001: Managing Energy

2009-10-01

There will soon be international help for companies who want standardization assistance in improving their energy efficiency. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) plans to soon publish a Management System Standard for Energy.

Canada is one of 38 countries offering input into the development of this standard, which is geared towards industry.

“Now, with ISO 50001, the first standard we are adopting will be a universally accepted standard so it will be doubly good,” says Michael Burke, director of the Industrial Programs Division of the Office of Energy Efficiency of Natural Resources Canada, and a member of the Canadian Advisory Committee for ISO’s project committee ISO/PC 242 – Energy Management.

ISO says that ISO 50001 will establish a framework for industrial plants, commercial facilities or entire organizations to manage energy. Targeting broad applicability across national economic sectors, the standard could influence up to 60 per cent of the world’s energy use.

Among other things, the future standard will also assist organizations in making better use of their existing energy-consuming assets, promote energy management best practices, reinforce good energy management behaviours and facilitate energy management improvements in the context of greenhouse gas emission reduction projects.

ISO has identified energy management as a priority area meriting the development and promotion of international standards. Countries around the world agree effective energy management is important because of the significant potential to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
“Companies recognize improved energy efficiency improves their bottom line and competitiveness and also has positive implications for their carbon footprint,” says Burke. “It’s a win-win situation having an internationally recognized standard covering this area.”

Ron Morrison, Chair of the Canadian Advisory Committee for ISO/PC 242 – Energy Management, explains the standard is being developed to offer energy efficiency standards that can be easily adopted by small- and medium-sized businesses.

Burke adds that the standard will also facilitate trade between companies that adopt it just as is the case with the ISO 9000 Management Systems series.

The project committee aims to have ISO 50001 ready for publication by the end of 2010. “We’re working diligently to prepare for adoption of the standard by Canadian industries shortly thereafter,” says Burke.

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This article first appeared in Volume 36 of CONSENSUS Magazine, 2009.  The information it contains was accurate at the time of publication but has not been updated or revised since, and may not reflect the latest updates on the topic.  If you have specific questions or concerns about the content, please contact the Standards Council of Canada.

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