BSI launches energy management standards

Firms that are interested in curbing their energy use but remain unsure how to do so, will get new help from this week with the launch of a new Energy Management Systems standard designed to help businesses implement efficiency improvements.

The BS EN 16001 standard has been introduced by standards and certification body BSI and provides guidance on how firms should measure and manage energy use across their facilities.

Firms that follow the guidelines can then gain independent certification showing that they comply with the standard, which can be used to demonstrate to customers and employees that a formal energy management system is in place.

The guidelines require a business to set energy use targets, assign staff to manage energy use and promote energy saving measures, establish monitoring systems and an internal audit programme to ensure targets are met, and regularly review the effectiveness of the energy management system.

BSI said that there was evidence that that the new standard will enjoy significant demand.

According to a recent survey from the company of 800 public and private sector organisations, only half rate their energy management processes as good or very good, despite the fact that over three quarters regard energy management as important or very important to their senior management team.

Mike Low, Director of Standards at BSI, encouraged businesses and public sector bodies to follow the standard, predicting that compliance with BS EN 16001 would provide them with the dual benefits of reduced energy bills and lower carbon emissions.

"Our research tells us that the interest in energy management is primarily driven by potential cost savings and a desire to protect the global climate," he said. "This standard offers these benefits and will help organisations streamline their compliance with legislation. As well as being good for business it will also play a part in tackling climate change and establishing the UK as a low carbon economy."