How can companies make their energy consumption as efficient and cost-saving as possible? This is a more important issue than ever for many organizations today. The reasons for this are, for example, cost savings through lower energy consumption, partial exemption of particularly energy-intensive companies from the EEG levy and also relief for manufacturing companies from the electricity and energy tax. Anyone who wants to benefit from these tax advantages must be certified according to DIN EN ISO 50001.
The ISO 50001 is a worldwide valid standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which supports companies in establishing systematic energy management (EnMS). If companies implement an energy management system that complies with the standard, they can obtain certification from an accredited certification body such as TÜV SÜD. In principle, there is no legal obligation to obtain certification. However, the certificate serves as proof of a standard-compliant energy management system to authorities or even customers.
Conversion to ISO 50001:2018
From 21 February 2020 certification bodies may only conduct audits according to the revision ISO 50001:2018 according to the transitional arrangement of the IAF (International Accreditation Forum - IAF Resolution 2017-14) and the Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle GmbH (DAkkS).
By 20 August 2021, three years after the 2018 revision comes into force, companies must have converted their energy management system to the new ISO 50001:2018 standard - certificates under the old standard lose their validity. As a rule, the changeover to the new revision takes place within the framework of a repeat audit or a scheduled surveillance audit.
Measurable proof of energy savings
The revision of ISO 50001 includes significant changes: As in the updated standards ISO 9001 and 140001, for example, a high level structure has been introduced. In addition, ISO 50001 now also requires that the context of the organization for the structure of the EnMS be taken into account and the opportunities and risks be worked out. The responsibility of top management for an effective EnMS is emphasized. "However, the changes in the energy management standard go even further: planning requirements for the collection of energy data have increased, for example, so that companies can objectively demonstrate that the company's energy-related performance has actually improved by applying the management system", explains Klaus-Dieter Fürsch, Product Compliance Manager at TÜV SÜD. The improvement in energy-related performance is demonstrated by comparing energy data between the reference period and the reporting period.
Why energy management?
Systematic energy management first of all records all energy flows in a company and evaluates the energy efficiency of its facilities and processes. On this basis, technical measures to improve energy efficiency and strategic or organizational management approaches are planned and implemented in order to systematically optimize energy consumption in the long term.
Further professional training for auditors as well
In order for certifications to be performed reliably and professionally on this new basis, the certifiers must also acquire new knowledge. TÜV SÜD has already received an updated accreditation from the DAkkS since March 2019 and qualified its auditors accordingly at an early stage. TÜV SÜD offers a so-called DELTA Audit for companies switching from ISO 50001:2011 to ISO 50001:2018. With the help of a GAP analysis, existing processes, specifications and procedures are reviewed and deviations and weaknesses in relation to the requirements of the new ISO 50001:2018 are identified.
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