What is ISO 50001? | Better Buildings Initiative

Get Started with 50001 Ready: Self-paced, no-cost way for organizations to build a culture of structured energy improvement that leads to deeper and sustained savings

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, provides organizations with an internationally recognized framework for implementing an energy management system (EnMS).

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.

The standard addresses the following:

Energy use and consumption
Measurement, documentation, and reporting of energy use and consumption
Design and procurement practices for energy-using equipment, systems, and processes
All variables affecting energy performance that can be monitored and influenced by the organization.

An EnMS helps an organization internalize the policies, procedures, and tools to systematically track, analyze, and improve energy efficiency. It considers maintenance practices, operational controls, and the design and procurement of renovated, modified, and new equipment, systems, processes, and facilities. With ISO 50001, energy management is integrated into normal business processes involving multiple types of employees across the organization.

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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. The growth of ISO 50001 is expected to accelerate as an increasing number of companies integrate ISO 50001 into their corporate sustainability strategies and supplier requirements.

ISO 50001:2018, the revised version of the standard, was published in 2018 and amended in 2024. The standard contains clarity and is applicable for businesses and organizations around the world. ISO 50001 is compatible across various ISO standards. Already using ISO 14001? Check out DOE’s Adaptation Guide and detailed Crosswalk to find out how to leverage your ISO 14001 system to add 50001 Ready and ISO 50001.

Learn More:

Purchase ISO 50001:2018
Get started with ISO 50001
Business case for ISO 50001 in manufacturing, commercial facilities, and government.
Case studies that reveal the clear business value of implementing an EnMS.
50001 Ready Navigator, DOE’s award-winning, free online tool offers step-by-step guidance for ISO 50001 implementation.
Tools, expertise and training
Informational materials such as brochures, fact sheets, videos, webinars, and more.
ISO 50001 FAQs

DOE’s Industrial Technologies Office recognizes the importance of energy performance in boosting the cost-competitiveness of U.S. businesses. DOE's 50001 Ready program provides guidance, tools, and protocols to drive deeper, more sustained savings from ISO 50001.

ISO 50001 also supports the mission of other DOE programs.

The Building Technologies Office (BTO) is developing technologies, techniques, and tools for making buildings more energy efficient, productive, and affordable. BTO focuses on improving commercial and residential building components, energy modeling tools, building energy codes, and appliance standards. BTO piloted ISO 50001 with seven organizations at 12 different sites and investigated three principal questions:

What resources and activities are essential to establish an EnMS effectively in commercial buildings?
What are the benefits and costs of implementing an EnMS? What are the incremental benefits and costs of attaining ISO 50001 certification?
What are the benefits and costs of implementing an EnMS? What are the incremental benefits and costs of attaining ISO 50001 certification?

This report summarizes lessons learned from the commercial buildings pilot.

The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) works with key individuals to accomplish energy change within organizations by bringing expertise from all levels of project and policy implementation to enable Federal agencies to meet energy-related goals and provide energy leadership to the country.

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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. 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.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards. ISO prioritized energy management as one of the top five fields for the development of International Standards, and created Project Committee (PC) 242 in 2008 to carry out the development of ISO 50001.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) supported the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) role as Secretariat of PC 242 (serving jointly with Brazil), to lead the international development of ISO 50001. In addition, DOE contributed actively to the U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG), the U.S. delegation to ISO PC 242. The U.S. TAG led international negotiations to ensure that ISO 50001 preserves the U.S. emphasis on management support and data-driven energy performance.

Following the publication of ISO 50001, PC 242 transitioned to a Technical Committee (TC) 301, which is responsible for updating ISO 50001 as needed and developing a family of related standards. DOE support will help to ensure that the new standards will be consistent with U.S. energy policy and strategy.

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