ISO 46001 Certification: Pioneering water efficiency for organizations

With water shortages increasingly becoming a pressing issue, organizations across the globe seek efficient ways of handling and conserving this valuable resource. ISO 46001, the international standard for water efficiency management systems, offers a structured method to help organizations optimize the use of water, reduce consumption, and promote sustainable behaviour.

ISO 46001 certification and its key components

Launched in 2019, ISO 46001 is a standardized process by which organizations establish and enhance the use of water. The standard is usable by any organization regardless of size or type, including a step-by-step process for establishing water-consuming areas and starting action plans to reach the goals.

Key components:

Reviewing Water Usage: Carrying out a careful appraisal of the existing use of water and determining what area needs improvement.

Objective and Target Setting: Defining clearly stated water efficiency targets based on the organizational working environment.

Policy Development: The organization’s vision of sustainable management of water through a water efficiency policy is the most important consideration. This policy forms the basis of setting the objectives and the targets.

Monitoring and Measurement: Putting in place systems to track water use and efficiency gauges.

Implementation of ISO 46001 in India: A Strategic Plan

Organizations applying for ISO 46001 certification are required to utilize the following steps:

Leadership Commitment: Getting commitment from executive leadership to spearhead the initiative and provide required resources.

Stakeholder Involvement: Participation of employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders in water-saving initiatives, is essential to create a culture of sustainability.

Integration with Current Systems: Integrating the water efficiency management system with other management systems such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, will provide a harmonized approach.

Real-World Applications to implement ISO 46001 certification:

Although in India, the adoption of ISO 46001 is still in progress, there exist some international cases of adopting the ISO 46001 certification.Following Taiwan’s severe drought during the early months of 2021, few companies understood the urgency of effective water management. In adopting ISO 46001 certification they conducted a thorough water usage analysis and determined that almost 60% of its water consumption was attributed to indoor air conditioning, amounting to 6,890 tonnes of water per month. To turn the situation around, they company invested in water recovery systems in its buildings, with success achieving a reclaimed water consumption rate of 5.9% in 2021.

Faced with the worst drought in half a century, an organisation implemented ISO 46001 in its facility and developed a visual electronic sub-platform for waterway mapping using the strength of big data analytics. Through these efforts, they increased its overall water recycling rate to almost 95% by early 2021, significantly reducing its dependency on natural water sources and ensuring sustainable operations.

With water scarcity still a major concern worldwide, ISO 46001 certification is an essential tool for organizations that are dedicated to sustainable water management. The success stories of various organizationsprove the real benefits and revolutionary effects of adopting ISO 46001 certification, providing a model for others to emulate in the quest for water efficiency and sustainability.

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