On 15th November 2004, ISO - Internaltional Organization of Standardization issued the second version of Environmental Management System as ISO 14001:2004 in place of ISO 14001:1996. Comparing with previous version, the newer has not got any significant change in the contents but making it more specific in requirements and increasing the compatibility to ISO 9001:2000.

     According to IAF GD4:2004 dated on 20th December 2004, the transfer process may last for 18 months since the day of issue. That means all certificates of previous version will be in the condition of ineffectiveness worldwide after 15th May 2006. 

     In complying with the given instructions, the certified business being conformable with ISO 14001:1996 must follow the direction stated below for successful tranfer process:

1. Preparation - 6 months (from 16th November 2004 till 15th May 2006)

     Certifying Organization goes on inspecting and monitoring the businesses in accordance with ISO 14001:1996, unless the business requires to be monitored with the newer version requirements. 

2. Period of Transfer Process - 12 months (from 05/16/2005 till 05/15/2006)

      The certifying organization must schedule and implement audit according to ISO 14001:2004 though the business has no requirement.

• After the audit, non-conformities indicated through ISO 14001:2004 assessment can be shown out but not resulting in suspension or making its previous version, ISO 14001:1996, ineffective.
• After the assessment the business could be successfully certified to ISO 14001:2004 certificate, if applicable, and with a period of effectiveness as the same as ISO 14001:1996's.

Although it's not compulsory but in case of requirement from the business, the Organization will carry out audit as if the business is conformable to new version and provide the certificate of ISO 14001:2004 with 3-year-effective period.

For businesses without any certification of ISO 14001 they can require the Organization for assessment of ISO 14001:1996 before 05/15/2005 but the certificate is effective till 05/15/2006 only. Therefore the certifying Organization will apply ISO 14001:2004 as Standards in assessing environmental management system in place of the previous version from the date 05/15/2005.