ISO 14001 sets the standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). It is an international standard designed to help organisations reduce their environmental impact by considering the environmental implications of each stage of a service or product. It is a standard that can be applied to any organisation of any size, making it one of the most popular environmental standards in the world. An ISO 14001 demonstrates a commitment to protecting the environment through proactive initiatives for environmental protection and life-cycle thinking such as waste reduction and improved resource efficiency. This often also benefits the company by cutting waste management costs.