ISO 50001 replaces EN 16001 – what companies must now do to save energy and money
ISO 50001 replaces EN 16001 – what companies must now do to save energy and money
On 24 April 2012, the German standards institute DIN will withdraw the EN 16001:2009 European standard and replace it with the international ISO 50001:2011 standard. The energy management experts at TÜV SÜD explain important points to note for organizations which intend to change their certificates or are currently undergoing EN 16001 certification. TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH was one of the first certification companies to gain DAkkS accreditation for the certification of energy management systems in accordance with the ISO 50001:2011 standard. An EnMS is the critical factor for a company in achieving systematic, integrated and sustainable reduction of its energy consumption. Within the scope of establishing an energy management system, organizations need to develop and implement sustainable organizational and operational procedures. TÜV SÜD supports companies in the successful implementation of energy management systems.
The national accreditation body for Germany, DAkkS, published a transitional regulation for companies already certified in accordance with the EN 16001 standard by an accredited certification body. Under this regulation, certificates can be changed over to ISO 50001 up to 24 April 2013 provided the organization complies with the changed requirements for energy management systems (EnMS) set forth in the new standard. "As the ISO 50001 standard largely corresponds with the EN 16001 standard, the additional requirements keep within reasonable limits. One new requirement concerns energy purchasing specifications", explains Klaus-Dieter Fürsch, Product Manager EnMS at TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH. Fürsch continues: "We recommend that organizations currently on the point of receiving EN 16001 certification aim directly at certification in accordance with ISO 50001 if possible". Basically, the costs and efforts involved in certification in accordance with the ISO 50001 standard are the same as for the old standard. However, the changeover of an existing certificate or certification procedure causes additional costs.
For existing certificates, an upgrade may be possible within the scope of a regular surveillance audit. Further information can be found at www.tuev-sued.de/energiemanagement. (only available in German)
No changes regarding EEG re-allocation charges
For companies planning to apply at the German Office of Economics and Export Control (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle, BAFA) for a cap of re-allocation charges in accordance with Art. 40 of Germany's Renewable Energy Act (EEG) 2012 and that must furnish evidence of a certified energy management system, there will be no changes for the time being. In its updated "Certification Leaflet" (II A 1. Sub-leaflet) BAFA explains that it will recognize all EN 16001 certificates and audits in its application procedure and that certificates need not be changed over to ISO 50001:2011. The application for 2013 must be filed by 30 June 2012.
Continuous improvement of energy performance
The processes of the ISO 50001 standards aim at significantly reducing energy consumption in companies, thus saving costs and cutting greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental pollution. The standard is suitable for integration into other management systems including ISO 9001 or ISO 14001. Central element of the ISO 50001 standard is the continuous improvement of an organization's energy performance. The standard describes the requirements that organizations must fulfil to establish, implement, maintain and improve an EnMS. The key advantage for organizations is that an EnMS and its impartial monitoring process facilitate the identification of potential areas for energy saving.
TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH assists companies with EnMS implementation. Depending on the sector of industry and the system in question, the introduction of an EnMS may cut the energy consumption of a company by as much as 20 per cent. In addition to these savings there are tax benefits and lower re-allocation charges. TÜV SÜD Management Service GmbH offers the certification of energy management systems, enabling organizations to furnish evidence that they maintain an efficient management instrument to ensure energy-efficient and sustainable operation. TÜV SÜD Akademie is a recognized initial and further training expert, offering numerous training courses on this subject.
Further information about TÜV SÜD is available at www.tuev-sued.de and about the subject of energy management at www.tuev-sued.de/energiemanagement. (only available in German)
Contact: Heidi Atzler