An energy policy is a documented commitment by an organisation's top management to improve energy performance. Under ISO 50001 (clause 5.2), it is the foundation of the energy management system.
What the policy contains
Under ISO 50001:2018, top management establishes the policy, documents it, communicates it within the organisation and makes it available to interested parties. It contains commitments: to continual improvement of energy performance, to ensuring the availability of information and resources to achieve objectives, to meeting legal and other requirements, and to supporting the purchase of energy-efficient products and services and design aimed at improving performance. The policy also provides a framework for setting objectives.
How to implement it
The policy should be short, specific and signed by management, not a template from the internet. It works well when supplemented by measurable objectives (EnPI) and responsible persons. In the Energy Infra Scan platform, the policy, objectives and records can be kept in the management system register, with documents linked to data.
Example from manufacturing
In its policy, a manufacturing plant commits to reducing the specific electricity consumption per unit and to evaluating progress every year. The objective is expressed as a number (for example, a reduction in EnPI by a predetermined percentage against the baseline) and responsibility is assigned to the energy manager.
Frequently asked questions
Who must approve the energy policy?
The organisation's top management. The standard requires it to establish and approve the policy and to ensure that it is understood within the organisation.
Must the policy be public?
It must be documented and, as appropriate, available to interested parties. The organisation determines how it is made available.