An energy management system (EnMS) integrates energy management into existing business systems, enabling organizations to better manage their energy and sustain achieved savings. Companies use an EnMS to establish the policies and procedures to systematically track, analyze, and improve energy efficiency.
ISO 50001, the global standard for energy management systems, helps organizations continually improve energy performance as part of daily business practice. This standard shares the Plan-Do-Check-Act structure to continual improvement used in ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), and other management systems. ISO 50001 was developed by experts from around the world who participate in the ISO/TC 301, the group that developed the portfolio of ISO 50001 standards and guidance documents. As of November 2018, ISO TC 301 has published 14 standards and has 8 more under development.
Saved energy translates into reduced energy costs, increased productivity and enhanced energy security. Case studies have demonstrated the clear business value of implementing an EnMS, showing energy performance improvements of 10 percent and more, with most of the improvement (in some cases, 70% or more) coming from low- or no-cost operational improvements. Download the brochure about the benefits of the ISO 50001 standard in companies across the U.S. or view the full suite of informational materials.
| Purchase ISO 50001:2018 |
ISO 50001:2018, the revised version of the standard, was published on August 21, 2018 to increase its clarity and applicability for businesses and organizations around the world. DOE is updating its programs to align with the revised standard. Transitioning from the 2011 version? Get details on changes in the 2018 version via the online ISO 50001:2018 Update training available through Georgia Tech’s Professional Education program or view a free recorded webinar on the key changes in ISO 50001:2018.
DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office recognizes the importance of energy performance in boosting the cost-competitiveness of U.S. businesses. DOE's 50001 Ready and Superior Energy Performance 50001 (SEP 50001) programs provide guidance, tools, and protocols to drive deeper, more sustained savings from ISO 50001. DOE’s award-winning, comprehensive 50001 Ready Navigator tool provides free, step-by-step guidance for ISO 50001 implementation from start to finish.
U.S. DOE, through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has worked actively with scores of countries to develop the ISO 50001 standard and promote its adoption. ISO 50001 was originally published in June 2011 and revised in August 2018. DOE and industry have jointly invested over $3 million to accelerate market-driven uptake of the standard—delivering business value to companies and organizations nationwide.
Potential Energy Savings
| ISO 50001: Save energy and cut costs through systematic, data-driven decision-making. |
If widely adopted, the voluntary ISO 50001 standard could influence up to 60% of the world's energy use across many economic sectors. Factors expected to drive broad adoption of ISO 50001 include the growth of corporate sustainability programs and the spread of energy management standards along the manufacturing supply chain. Companies may also find the resulting energy and carbon reductions increasingly valuable as a means to comply with possible carbon reduction initiatives or to enhance their corporate environmental practices.
International governments are collaborating to accelerate worldwide use of energy management systems in industry and commercial buildings through the Clean Energy Ministerial Energy Management Working Group (EMWG).