ISO 50001 requirements in plain language

The standard describes an energy management system. You measure energy use, identify the largest consumers, plan improvements and review the results. Then you start the cycle again.

ISO 50001 uses the same clause structure as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Clauses 1 to 3 cover scope, references and terms. They contain nothing you have to do. The requirements start at clause 4.

• ISO 50001 overview
• ISO for small and medium businesses

These two clauses fix the frame. You decide what the system covers and management puts its name behind it.

Context and scope (clause 4)

Decide which sites, buildings, processes and energy types the system covers. List the parties with expectations, such as the energy supplier, authorities and customers. What you document: a scope statement with clear boundaries.

Energy policy (clause 5)

A short statement from top management that commits the company to better energy performance. What you document: the signed policy, available to staff.

Roles and responsibilities (clause 5)

Someone must be responsible for the system and report energy performance to management. In a small firm that can be the owner or a deputy. What you document: a role description or an entry in the organisation chart.

Clause 6 is the core of ISO 50001. The order matters. You cannot name significant energy uses before you have reviewed your consumption, and you cannot measure progress before you have a baseline.

Energy review (6.3)

Analyse which energy sources you use, how much, and where. The result shows the significant energy uses: the few consumers behind most of the bill, for example heating, compressed air or a furnace. What you document: the review, the list of significant energy uses and the data behind it.

Energy performance indicators (6.4)

Choose figures that show whether you use energy better, such as kWh per unit produced or kWh per square metre. What you document: the indicators and how each one is calculated.

Energy baseline (6.5)

Fix a reference period. Every later result is compared with it. What you document: the baseline period, the values and any adjustment factors.

Objectives and action plans (6.2)

Set energy objectives and plan how to reach them: who does what, with which resources, by when. What you document: the objectives and the action plans.

Here the plan reaches the shop floor. People need to know what is expected of them, and the significant energy uses need rules.

Competence and awareness (7.2, 7.3)

Staff who influence the significant energy uses need the right skills. Everyone else should know the energy policy and their own contribution. What you document: training records and evidence of instruction.

Communication (7.4)

Define what is communicated about energy performance, to whom and when, inside the company and where relevant outside it.

Documented information (7.5)

Keep the records the standard calls for and keep them controlled and current. The extent depends on the size and complexity of the company.

Operational control (8.1)

Set criteria for running and maintaining the significant energy uses, for example setpoints, maintenance intervals and shutdown rules. What you document: work instructions and maintenance records.

Design and procurement (8.2, 8.3)

Consider energy performance when you design or change facilities, equipment and processes, and when you buy energy-using products, services or energy itself. What you document: the evaluation criteria used in purchasing and design decisions.

The last two clauses close the loop. You compare results with the baseline, test the system itself and fix what does not work.

1. 01

   Monitoring and measurement (9.1)

   Read the meters, calculate the indicators and compare them with the baseline and the objectives. Records: measurement results and evaluations.

2. 02

   Internal audit (9.2)

   Someone checks at planned intervals whether the system works as described and meets the standard. Records: audit programme and audit reports.

3. 03

   Management review (9.3)

   Top management reviews the results, the objectives and the audit findings and decides on changes. Records: minutes with decisions.

4. 04

   Nonconformity and corrective action (10.1)

   When something deviates, you correct it, find the cause and prevent a repeat. Records: the deviation, the action and its result.

5. 05

   Continual improvement (10.2)

   Energy performance and the system itself keep improving. The indicators over several years are the evidence.

• Certification without an on-site audit

Zertify turns the requirements into an online self-assessment of 32 yes/no questions. 13 of them are mandatory requirements of the standard and must all be answered yes. Of the other 19 questions, at least 13 must be yes to pass.

Once you have passed and paid, the certificate follows within 4 hours. It is issued by G6 Agency AG under licence from SICE, and SICE reviews every assessment before issue. There is no on-site audit. Your customers can check the certificate by number or QR code on the public verification page.

The price is CHF 749 (€749) in the first year, then CHF 499 (€499) per year including the yearly online re-audit. The certificate is valid for 3 years. The subscription renews automatically and can be cancelled in your customer account to the end of the current year. Prices include 8.1% Swiss VAT for customers in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. You do not need an account to buy.

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