The ISO 14000 series is a set of management standards that was designed by the International Standards Organization to help companies of all types address environmental issues. ISO 14001 -- the most prominent system of this series -- has been touted as the solution to the environmental problems of many businesses. But critics worry that as a set of guidelines that does not require concrete environmental improvements, ISO 14001 may serve as false proof of environmental success.

This white paper from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable is an introduction to the debate over ISO 14001. It describes the benefits of the standard and outlines the disadvantages that may limit its effectiveness in improving corporate environmental performance. The paper ends with recommendations for improving the system. Access the paper online.