Ecodesign Maturity Model as a framework to support the transition towards ISO 14.001: 2015 certification

Currently, the certification standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) ISO 14.001:2011 is under a major revision process, regarding its structure and requirements. The current draft entails major changes related to the integration of the product life cycle perspective into business processes, such as product development and value chain.

The standard is expected to be launched in late 2015 with a 3-year transition period. This paper explores the application of the Ecodesign Maturity Model (EcoM2) as a framework to support the planning and implementation of ISO 14.001:2015, based on a case study carried out in a large manufacturing company.

The EcoM2 supports the identification of the gaps to be fulfilled based on the diagnosis of the current maturity profile, the definition of the activities to be carried out in a strategic roadmap deployment, and the systematic measurement of the achievements obtained over time, towards the fulfillment of requirements and improved maturity profiles.