ISO 46001:2019 - Water Efficiency Management System
Singapore is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world. Without groundwater, big freshwater lakes, or enough water catchments to collect and store rainwater, Singapore have developed a diversified water supply strategy known as the Four National Taps – imported water, water from local catchment, NEWater and desalinated water.
What is ISO 46001 Water Efficiency Management System?
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Singapore's water challenge
ISO 46001 is the first Water Efficiency Management System standard that provides organizations with guidelines to have a systematic approach towards monitoring, measurement, documentation of existing water usages in their premise as well as establishing, identifying and implementing measures to achieve improvement in water efficiency.
Currently, Singapore’s daily water usage is about 430 million gallons, and the water demand is expected to almost double by 2060, with the non-domestic sector accounting for the majority of the increased demand. Thus, the non-domestic users play a bigger role in conserving water resources, especially if the operations consume a large amount of water. Therefore, in 2012, PUB – Singapore’s National Water Agency (PUB) together with Enterprise Singapore and industry stakeholders developed a national standard to support Singapore’s water sustainability journey.
The Singapore Standard SS 577 Water Efficiency Management Systems is the first standard in the world that provides organisations with a guideline to establish a management system and have a systematic approach towards achieving water efficiency.
Evolution from SS 577 to ISO 46001
- SS 577 specifies requirements that would allow organisations to have a systematic approach towards monitoring, measurement, documentation of existing water usages in premise as well as establishing, identifying and implementing measures to achieve improvement in water efficiency.
- SS 577 inspired the development of an international standard – ISO 46001 Water Efficiency Management System which is applicable to organizations around the world. ISO 46001 provides a clear framework and guidance on water efficiency management and highlights the best methods and tools to assess and account for water usage, as well as to identify and implement measures to optimize water use. ISO 46001 is applicable to business and organizations of all sizes and can be adopted across all industries.
Key Benefits of ISO 46001 Certification
Why get ISO 46001 certified?
With effective implementation of water efficiency management system, organizations not only experience substantial savings in water and energy but are able to reduce environmental impact from water discharge/ wastage.
ISO 46001 certification also helps organizations to:
Identify water as a resource that can be considered as part of organizational and budgetary planning,
Better manage their water use and optimize water demand,
Demonstrate greater level of accountability and responsibility in water use,
Regularly review for possible improvement of their water efficiency management system to enjoy continuous savings in operation from reduction of water consultation through installation of water conservation devices and proper monitoring.
With effective implementation of water efficiency management system, organizations not only experience substantial savings in water and energy but are able to reduce environmental impact from water discharge/ wastage.
ISO 46001 certification also helps organizations to:
Identify water as a resource that can be considered as part of organizational and budgetary planning,
Better manage their water use and optimize water demand,
Demonstrate greater level of accountability and responsibility in water use,
Regularly review for possible improvement of their water efficiency management system to enjoy continuous savings in operation from reduction of water consultation through installation of water conservation devices and proper monitoring.
ISO 460001 Certification process: Step-by-step guide to getting certified
Pre-assessment audit
We can provide an independent audit of your management system before the commencement of the Stage 1 audit. (optional)
Stage 1 audit
First, we gain an understanding of your business to assess whether your document policy, objectives, continual improvement plans and procedures meet the requirements of the management system (MS) standard.
The readiness of your implementation programme is also assessed
Stage 2 audit
We will then audit your MS in action, to check that your declared policy, objectives and targets have been effectively communicated, and that your continual improvement plans and procedures are working in practice.
Certification is then awarded after successful closures of any outstanding issues.
Surveillance audit
After you have achieved certification, we undertake regular ongoing audits of your MS to ensure that it is being maintained and that it continues to meet the objectives of your organisation and the expectation of your customers.
Re-certification audit
The certificate is valid for 3 years.
A recertification audit is conducted on the full MS before the expiry of the certificate.
Why get certified with SOCOTEC Certification Singapore?
SOCOTEC Certification Singapore is accredited by Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) for ISO 46001 Water Efficiency Management System and is able to provide one-stop solution for your certification journey.
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Frequently asked questions about ISO 46001 WEMS Certification in Singapore
ISO 46001 is an international standard for water efficiency management systems, helping organizations optimize water use and reduce waste.
Any organization seeking to improve water efficiency, reduce costs, and demonstrate environmental responsibility, particularly in water-intensive sectors should implement ISO 46001.
Main benefits of ISO 46001 certification are:
- Reduced water consumption and costs
- Improved environmental performance
- Regulatory compliance
- Enhanced corporate reputation
It takes typically, 6-12 months, depending on organization size, current water management practices, and readiness level.
Yes, ISO 46001 follows the ISO High-Level Structure, enabling easy integration with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 50001.
Key steps to obtain ISO 46001 certification are:
- Gap analysis
- Implementation of water efficiency measures
- Internal audits
- Management review
- External certification audit.
The standard requires organizations to set their own measurable water efficiency objectives based on context and performance baseline.
Certification is valid for 3 years, with annual surveillance audits to ensure continuous compliance.
ISO 14001 covers overall environmental management, while ISO 46001 specifically focuses on water efficiency and sustainable water use.
Training for Personnel involved in WEMS
ISO 46001 Training course
ISO 46001 Water Efficiency Management System provides a systematic approach to achieving water efficiency and contributing to sustainability efforts worldwide.
Aside to understanding the key concepts, the learners are able to enhance their practical auditing skills and plan, conduct and management ISO 46001 internal audit.
ISO 46001 Water Efficiency Management System provides a systematic approach to achieving water efficiency and contributing to sustainability efforts worldwide.
Aside to understanding the key concepts, the learners are able to enhance their practical auditing skills and plan, conduct and management ISO 46001 internal audit.
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