Acorn scheme to continue despite new standard

IEMA has confirmed that its Acorn scheme will continue despite the recent publication of ISO 14005:2010, which is similarly designed to help organisations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), adopt a phased approach to developing and implementing an environmental management system (EMS).

The emergence of 14005 had raised concerns about the future of BS 8555:2003, which the Acorn scheme is based on. However, James Thorne, senior adviser at IEMA, says the two can coexist and that the institution has no plans replace Acorn with 14005.

He says IEMA did a “mapping exercise” last year to identify the similarities and differences between 8555 and 14005, and concluded that the former should remain the base standard for Acorn.

“8555 is a logical approach; you work through the process and can step off on the way, getting recognition for what you’ve already achieved [staged certification]. 14005 is not as straightforward, and is merely guidance on getting from A to B with no acknowledgement of reaching milestones along the way,” says Thorne.

Importantly for the immediate future of 8555 and Acorn, CEN, the European Standards Board, rejected adopting 14005, meaning that national standards bodies such as BSI can choose whether or not to adopt the international standard or continue to use the national standard.

The UK voted against the adoption of 14005 at the ISO meeting – as did a number of other countries, including the US, France, the Netherlands and New Zealand – on the basis that it is inferior to 8555.

ISO says the purpose of 14005 is to provide guidance for organisations on the phased development, implementation, maintenance and improvement of an EMS. 14005 includes advice on the integration and use of environmental performance evaluation techniques.

More than 640 organisations have so far been through the Acorn scheme. Almost 160 organisations are currently on the Acorn register, having reached various stages in the process.