In short: Environmental aspects are elements of activities, products or services that interact with the environment; impacts are the resulting changes. ISO 14001 requires organizations to identify aspects, evaluate significance and plan actions using a life cycle perspective.
What are examples of aspects and impacts?
- Energy use → greenhouse gas emissions
- Wastewater discharge → water pollution
- Packaging use → resource depletion and waste
How do you evaluate significance?
Use criteria such as scale, severity, frequency, legal requirements and stakeholder concerns, applied consistently.
Key takeaways
- Link aspects to real impacts.
- Use consistent significance criteria.
- Consider the full life cycle.
Frequently asked questions
What is a life cycle perspective?
Considering stages from raw material acquisition to end-of-life treatment.
How often should aspects be reviewed?
When there are changes and at planned intervals.
Are indirect aspects included?
Yes, those the organization can influence, such as supplier activities and product use.