An environmental aspect is an element of an organization’s activities, products or services that interacts with the environment. An environmental impact is the change that this interaction creates in the environment.
To clarify the distinction with an example: wastewater discharge is an environmental aspect; the deterioration of water quality in the receiving body is the environmental impact.
Typical environmental aspects
- Air emissions
- Water discharge
- Waste generation and disposal
- Energy and natural resource use
- Soil contamination risk
- Noise and vibration
- Use of chemicals
Life cycle perspective
When determining aspects, not only the activities at your own facility but also the stages of the product from raw material to end of life must be considered. ISO 14001:2026 has strengthened this life cycle perspective.
Prioritization
Not all aspects are equally significant. The organization defines its own criteria for determining significant environmental aspects; magnitude of the impact, frequency, being subject to legal regulation and interested party sensitivity are common criteria.
Significant aspects form the input to environmental objectives, operational controls and compliance obligations.
Related training: ISO 14001 training — environmental aspect and impact assessment is done hands-on by participants on their own facilities.