External assurance from an impartial assurance provider can increase the credibility and reliability of your reported environmental information.
ISO 14016 gives principles and guidelines for assuring the environmental information an organization includes in its environmental reports. It is applicable to assuring other types of reports too provided that special consideration is paid to identifying the competence needed by the assurance provider.
Why assurance? Assurance can increase the use of environmental information in decision making by organisational leaders and can reduce data quality risk and enhance trust in that data. It can support and improve dialogue with stakeholders. Having affirmed data can strengthen environmental reporting for improving performance within the organisation but also improve image and reputation externally.
ISO 14016 is not tied to any one framework of reporting or assurance and simply sets out what good looks like for all sectors and sizes of organisation. It is perfect for use with BS EN ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.
This new standard supports reporting on an organisation’s environmental reporting and is a great tool for assurance providers and organisations developing environmental reports, organisations themselves who want to assure their environmental reports and also for stakeholders relying on assurance of environmental reports, from decision makers to investors.