In today’s economy, controlling costs and maintaining competitiveness are paramount, and companies are going back to basics. Businesses are leveraging their energy management systems as one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce operating expenses and help control costs.
The recently updated ISO 50004 is the latest in ISO’s energy management suite of standards, which includes ISO 50001 for the development of an energy management system. The new and enhanced ISO 50004, Energy management systems – Guidance for the implementation, maintenance and improvement of an ISO 50001 energy management system, helps an organization take a systematic approach to its overall energy management as a means of achieving continual improvement in energy performance.
Deann Desai, Project Leader of the group that developed the new ISO 50004, explains: “This user-friendly toolset helps organizations identify, track, report and act on all energy improvement initiatives. The guidance the standard provides can help turn energy efficiency novices into top energy performers.”
Because energy is the largest controllable operating expense for most businesses, reducing energy costs has a significant positive impact on the bottom line. When implemented in a coordinated fashion, organizations can improve energy performance without spending capital. This is where the ISO energy management suite of standards comes into play.
ISO 50004:2020 applies to organizations with varying levels of energy management and energy management system (EnMS) experience. Supplemented with practical help boxes designed to provide the user with ideas, examples and strategies for implementing an EnMS, the standard is expected to benefit all organizations implementing an energy management system based on ISO 50001.
ISO 50004 is part of a growing range of standards to help organizations on their energy management journey. Users will also benefit from the future ISO 50005, Energy management systems – Phased implementation, which will offer additional guidance towards the successful implementation of ISO 50001.
ISO 50004 was developed by ISO technical committee ISO/TC 301, Energy management and energy savings, whose secretariat is held in partnership by ISO’s members for the United States (ANSI) and China (SAC).
Related Information
ISO 50001 — Energy Management ~ ISO’s standard for helping organizations manage their energy performance.
ISO 50001 — Energy Management Systems ~ Learn more about ISO's standard for helping organizations manage their energy performance, in this free brochure.
Affordable and Clean Energy (Sustainable Development Goal 7) ~ Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
ISO 50004:2020 — Energy management systems ~ Guidance for the implementation, maintenance and improvement of an ISO 50001 energy management system.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elizabeth Gasiorowski-Denis is the Editor-in-Chief of ISO Focus.
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