ISO 50001:2018
ISO 50001 certification online: Energy Management by self-assessment
With the ISO 50001 certificate from Zertify, you demonstrate your management system online. ISO 50001 certification works by self-assessment: you receive the certificate within 4 hours and pay once, CHF 749. It is not an accredited certificate and does not replace an audit.
- Questions
- 30
- Validity
- 3 years
- One-time price
- CHF 749
01: Overview
What is ISO 50001?
ISO 50001:2018 is the international standard for energy management systems (EnMS). It helps organizations analyze their energy consumption systematically, identify savings potential and continually improve energy efficiency. The standard contributes to lower energy costs and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
02: Benefits
Your benefits
- Significant reduction in energy costs
- Smaller carbon footprint
- Compliance with energy efficiency requirements
- Access to funding programmes and tax relief
- Stronger sustainability image
- Systematic identification of savings potential
03: Who it is for
Who is ISO 50001 for?
- Energy-intensive industry
- Manufacturing companies
- Building management and facility services
- Logistics and transport
- Public institutions
- Companies with high energy costs
04: Requirements
Key requirements
Establish an energy baseline
Identify significant energy uses
Define energy performance indicators (EnPIs)
Set energy objectives and action plans
Procure energy-efficient products and services
Monitor and improve energy performance
05: Demand
Who asks for ISO 50001?
ISO 50001 is asked for where energy is a large cost block or where authorities and customers want to see savings proven.
- Energy intensive businesses
- Production, data centres and logistics with high consumption use the system to cut usage and control costs.
- Target agreements and levies
- Anyone who commits to energy savings, for example in cantonal large consumer models or for exemption from the CO2 levy, can use energy management as a foundation.
- Corporations and supply chains
- Large companies with climate targets ask suppliers about energy use and reduction plans, mainly for their sustainability reports.
06: Cost
What does ISO 50001 cost? Audit, consulting or self-assessment
With ISO 50001, consumption, number of sites and metering effort set the price. For a company with 10 to 50 employees, these orders of magnitude apply.
| Route | Indicative range | What is behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited audit | CHF 5,000 to 12,000 initial audit, then 2,500 to 5,000 per year | The price follows consumption, the number of significant energy uses and sites. A business with one main consumer is cheap to audit. |
| Consulting and implementation | CHF 10,000 to 30,000 one-off | Energy data collection, baseline, indicators and savings measures. Metering and energy analysis are often the biggest item. |
| Zertify self-assessment | CHF 749 once, valid 3 years | You check whether energy review, baseline, indicators, objectives and procurement criteria are demonstrably in place. It does not replace recognised target agreements with authorities. |
All amounts are non-binding indicative ranges for Swiss SMEs, not quotes. The offers of the individual providers are what counts.
07: Duration
How long does ISO 50001 take?
For ISO 50001 consumption data has to be collected first, so the accredited route usually takes six to fourteen months.
| Phase | Accredited | Zertify |
|---|---|---|
| Data and baseline | 3 to 6 months for consumption data, energy review and indicators | None. You answer the questions based on where you stand today |
| Assessment | Stage 1 and 2, plus walk-through of the significant installations | About 20 to 30 minutes online, scored immediately |
| Certificate | Release after 2 to 6 weeks, then annual surveillance audits | PDF with QR verification within 4 hours |
08: Sample questions
Sample questions from the ISO 50001 assessment
Four of 30 questions from the catalog, with the reason each one counts.
Have the significant energy uses (SEUs) of your organization been identified and documented?
The significant energy uses show where most consumption sits. Only there are metering and savings projects worthwhile.
Is there a documented energy baseline that serves as the reference point for evaluating improvements?
Without a baseline there is no proof of improvement. It is the point of comparison for every savings target.
Have energy performance indicators (EnPIs) been defined that allow energy efficiency to be measured?
Indicators such as kilowatt hours per unit make energy comparable even when production fluctuates.
Are energy efficiency criteria considered when procuring energy-consuming products, equipment and services?
Buying a machine fixes a large share of its later energy costs. The standard requires you to check efficiency before you buy.
09: Assessment
How the assessment works
The assessment consists of 30 yes/no questions. You answer them online, at your own pace. With 20 or more yes answers you pass.
| The questions are grouped by these topics: | Questions |
|---|---|
| Context of the organization | 4 questions |
| Leadership | 4 questions |
| Planning and energy review | 6 questions |
| Energy objectives and action plans | 3 questions |
| Support | 4 questions |
| Operation and procurement | 3 questions |
| Measurement and monitoring | 3 questions |
| Management review and improvement | 3 questions |
10: Price
Price and validity
What is included
- Online assessment with 30 questions
- Certificate as PDF, issued by SICE
- QR code for public verification
- 3 years of validity
- Support by email
The certificate is based on a self-assessment. It is not an accredited certification. Read more in the FAQ
11: More standards
More standards
Many companies combine several standards. From two standards you get a discount.
- ISO 14001:2015: View standard
Environmental Management
Energy use is the most common significant environmental aspect, and the two standards share a legal register, objectives and emergency planning.
from CHF 699
- ISO 9001:2015: View standard
Quality Management
Indicators, audits and management review are built identically, so an existing QM system saves a lot of set-up work.
from CHF 599
12: Questions
Frequently asked questions about ISO 50001
ISO 50001 certificate within 4 hours.
Start the assessment for free. You only pay after you pass.
The certificate is based on a self-assessment. It is not an accredited certification.