The new version explains in more detail the societal expectation for sustainable development, transparency, and accountability.

The clause explains the purpose of the standard and emphasizes a systematic approach to the environmental management system.

The clause underlines commitment from all levels of the organization as being crucial for a successful management system.

The PDCA cycle was part of the old version, and now is even more emphasized through a separate clause.

This clause explains, besides the new structure, annexes A and B and references to ISO 14004, which is also under revision.

These clauses are almost the same for both versions of the standard.

These clauses are almost the same for both versions of the standard.

The terms are now divided in groups related to organization, planning, support and operation and performance evaluation and improvement. Some new terms are introduced in the new version, such as “documented information,” “environmental condition,” etc.

The requirement is the same, only explained in more detail, with the additional request that the scope should be available to interested parties.

The requirements from the previous version remain; the new requirement is to consider the organization’s context during implementation and maintaining the environmental management system (EMS). Achieving intended outcomes is now emphasized as a reason for establishing the EMS. For more information about new version of the standard visit our ISO 14001:2015 Foundation Online Course

The new clause has the same requirements, and includes some new ones in consideration of abnormal and potential emergency situations, also the criteria for used for determining significant aspects is now explicitly required to be documented. See the sample document here: Procedure for Identification and Evaluation of Environmental Aspects. For more information read this article 4 steps in identification and evaluation of environmental aspects

The requirements remain the same in the new version. Compliance obligations must be taken into account when planning the EMS. See the sample document here: Procedure for Identification and Evaluation of Legal and Other Requirements. For more information read this article How to achieve regulatory compliance in ISO 14001.

The requirements remain the same, but are further elaborated in the new version. See the sample document here: Environmental Objectives, Targets and Programs. For more information read this article How to write ISO 14001 environmental targets for your organization.

The new clause has the same requirements regarding roles, responsibilities, and authorities; resources are now divided as a separate clause.

The old requirements regarding resource provision remain, but the new version emphasizes resource provision by dividing it into a separate clause. For more information read this article Understanding resource management in the EMS.

The requirements are the same, only further outlined by division into separate clauses. Organization must determine needs for training regarding environmental aspects and EMS. See the sample document here: Competence, Training and Awareness Procedure. For more information read this article ISO 14001 Competence, Training & Awareness: Why are they important for your EMS?.

The requirements are the same, only divided into separate clauses. The new version of the standard shows the internal and external communication as equally important. See the sample document here: Procedure for Communication.

Documents and records now belong to the same category – documented information. The requirements of both versions are equivalent. See the sample document here: Procedure for Document and Record Control. For more information read this article Deciding which procedures to document in the EMS.

Documents and records now belong to the same category – documented information. The requirements of both versions are equivalent. See the sample document here: Procedure for Document and Record Control. For more information read this article Deciding which procedures to document in the EMS.

The new version takes into account a few additional elements: control of outsourced processes, change management and the life cycle during purchasing, and design and development. See the sample document here: Procedure for Operational Control of Significant Environmental Aspects.

The requirements are almost the same, but are further elaborated in the new version. See the sample document here: Procedures for Preparedness and Emergency Response. For more information read this article How to write emergency procedures for ISO 14001.

The new clause sublimates all requirements for monitoring and measurement related to significant environmental aspects, compliance obligations, operational controls, objectives, etc. For more information, read this article: ISO 14001 Monitoring & measurement equipment control.

The requirements are the same. See the sample document here: Compliance Evaluation Record.

The requirements are equivalent. See the sample document here: Procedure for Corrective and Preventive Action. For more information read this article Environmental Nonconformity Management: How is ISO 14001 different from ISO 9001.

Documents and records now belong to the same category – documented information. The requirements of both versions are equivalent. See the sample document here: Procedure for Document and Record Control. For more information read this article Deciding which procedures to document in the EMS.

The requirements are equivalent. The main difference is that the new standard does not require a documented procedure. See the sample document here: Procedure for Internal Audit. For more information visit ISO 14001:2015 Internal Auditor Online Course

The requirements are equivalent. The output of management review must include opportunities to improve integration of the EMS with other business processes. See the sample document here: Procedure for Management Review. For more information read this article The importance of management review in the ISO 14001:2015 process.

The requirements remain the same. See the sample document here Environmental Policy. The new standard stresses the importance of context and interested parties. For more information read this article How to write an ISO 14001 environmental policy

Both of these annexes give information on how to fulfill the requirements of the standard and provide additional clarifications of the requirements, but they are only informative and do not add to or modify the requirements.