ISO 24526 is a certification standard for
water efficiency management systems (WEMS), aiming to contribute to the
efficient and sustainable use of water. The standard states requirements and
gives a flexible guidance on how to introduce and sustain a water efficiency
management system in companies. ISO 24526, Water efficiency management systems –
Requirements with guidance for use, offers a single, clear framework for
all organizations wishing to improve their water efficiency performance. It
includes a series of processes that enables the staff with various
responsibilities across an organization to use data to assess and account for
water usage, and to identify, plan and implement measures to improve water
efficiency performance. It will provide organizations a proven approach to
develop a water efficiency management plan addressing critical aspects of water
efficiency performance—including water use, measurement, documentation,
reporting, procurement practices, and other variables affecting water
efficiency management that can be measured and monitored. The benefits for my
business, the standard will provide the following benefits:
- By setting out
management requirements, the standard will help organizations create
transparency and facilitate communication on the management of water
resources and the implementation of water efficient measures in accordance
with an internationally recognized minimum standard.
- If adopted and
implemented by an organization, the standard will help the organization
demonstrate that it is taking measures to optimize water use, as evidence
of its commitment to the principles of social responsibility.
- It will be an
internationally agreed standard allowing both internal and external
assurance for the implementation of water efficient measures.
- ISO 24526 is based on
the high levels structure (HLS) for ISO management systems standards and therefore
allows integration with other organizational management systems such as
energy efficiency (ISO 50001), and health and safety (ISO 45001).
Water is one of the world’s essential resources. Escalating demand for water and changes in the climate are increasing pressure on the world’s water supply. ISO 24526, Water efficiency management systems – Requirements with guidance for use, offers a single, clear framework for all organizations wishing to improve their water efficiency performance. The new standard ISO 24526 for water-efficiency management systems addresses this void and will help organizations to increase efficiency, save costs and protect the environment. Population pressure and the effects of climate change raise the global demand for water significantly. This growing demand does not only lead to increased costs, it also affects local ecosystems and threatens the long-term viability of certain business models and industry sectors. More than a resource, water is a risk that deserves to be managed. The new standard ISO 24526, currently under development, enables companies to implement a water efficiency management system (WEMS) in accordance with international standards and to seek third-party certification. The aim of the standard is to provide an effective and flexible approach for the implementation and maintenance of water efficiency management systems in organizations of all kinds and sizes. Every company that uses significant amounts of water will benefit by implementing the standard.
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