Differences Between ISO 50001 and BS 16001 Energy Management Standards

The points below set out the differences between the ISO 50001 and BS 16001 energy management system standards.

For a longer conversation on which standard fits your operation, contact Sistem Patent Kalite, the certification and testing consultancy.

ISO 50001

• ISO 50001 places stronger emphasis on R&D and investment activity that improves energy performance over time.
• ISO 50001 goes deeper into the energy policy and touches adjacent topics such as the procurement of energy-efficient products and services.
• The standard centres on the energy performance itself and on the review of that performance. Energy performance indicators and an energy baseline are two of the additions that come with ISO 50001.
• ISO 50001 puts more responsibility on management. Top management must commit to the energy management system and must demonstrate that the support given to it is increasing over time.
• ISO 50001 requires the energy profile to be built, a baseline aligned to that profile to be set, and the energy performance indicators to be evaluated against it.
• Design is another addition that ISO 50001 brings. The organisation has to consider energy performance in the modification, design, and renewal of installations, systems, equipment, and processes that consume significant energy.
• Procurement is another ISO 50001 addition. The organisation has to consider procurement of services and goods that improve the efficiency of major energy-consuming installations, systems, equipment, and processes. Beyond that, the organisation takes capacity, energy quality, cost, and environmental factors into account when buying energy.
• BS 16001 covers the energy policy at a more general level.
• Under BS 16001, the organisation identifies its energy aspects, documents them, and ranks them by significance.

Similarities Between the ISO 50001 and BS 16001 Energy Management Standards

• Both standards share the same approach to documentation, document review, management review, and communication of the management system.
• Both standards aim to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

Which Standard to Choose

ISO 50001 is the current international energy management standard and has replaced BS EN 16001 in most markets. New projects should usually target ISO 50001 unless a customer or regulator still calls for BS 16001 by name. Sistem Patent Kalite can advise on the best route based on your supply chain and export markets.