• Identify and correct problems internally before they are discovered externally.
• Will cut down on "bureaucracy" by eliminating conflicting national standards and replace them with one internationally accepted standard.
• Provide efficiency, discipline and operational integration with ISO 9000.
• Ensures greater employee involvement in business operations.
• Easier to obtain operational permits and authorizations.
• Provide evidence of due diligence.
• Aid in developing and transferring technology within the company.
• Will help to reduce pollution.
• Reduce operating costs.
• Aids in creating a high quality, more motivated workforce.
• Reduced Injuries. The number of employee injuries, illness and associated costs will be reduced with reduction of amounts of chemicals and hazardous wastes on site.

• Hazardous and nonhazardous waste minimization
• Conservation of natural resources--electricity, gas, space and water with resultant cost savings
• Aid in correction of worldwide environmental problems, such as depletion of ozone layer

• Demonstrates to customers that the firm is meeting environmental expectations.
• Public relations benefit by being able to communicate a commitment to providing a safer, cleaner, healthier environment for all concerned parties.
• Meets potential national and international government purchasing requirements.
• Gain awareness, recognition and understanding in worldwide markets.
• Profit from marketing "green" products.
• Provides a competitive marketing tool.
• Improve international competitiveness.
• Enhancing market share.
• Enhancing image.

• Proactive environmental actions, such as no major spills and waste minimization, can help improve community relations.
• Improved Customer Trust and Satisfaction. ISO 14001 certification can help assure customers and the general public that the environment is being protected.

• Improves relationship with insurance companies resulting in obtaining pollution-incident coverage at best possible rates.
• Elimination of costs associated with meeting conflicting national standards.
• Process cost savings by reduction of input materials and energy.
• Satisfying investor / shareholder criteria.
• Help to reduce liability and risk.
• Improved access to capital.
• Long-term cost savings, including the areas of environmental control and cleanup. It has been estimated that over $100 billion is spent annually in the United States to comply with federal regulations pertaining to environmental control and pollution cleanup
• Long-term reduction in environmental costs and increase in competitive edge due to increased customer satisfaction, powerful public image, trust in the organization, higher morale, innovation and ingenuity of employees. Primary cost savings will result from less chemicals and wastes, fewer chemical spills and cleanups, less hazardous waste tracking and disposal requirements, and a better overall management of environmental matters due to the total company being involved in this management arena.

• ISO certification will enhance the ability to provide the written documentation necessary to demonstrate compliance with regulations.
• It is probable that regulatory agencies may not investigate ISO certified organizations as aggressively as those companies without the certification.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does have representatives on some of the ISO 14000 committees, such as the ISO 14000 SC1 to the TC207 committee for the United States.
• Overall, agency/industry relations should improve after ISO 14001 certification. The agency will know the certified organization has systems in place and this should help enhance a better working relationship.
• Demonstrates a commitment to governmental authorities that the firm is moving beyond compliance and pursuing continual improvement.
• Have a proactive and improved environmental program.
• Potential benefits include:

• Reduction or elimination of compliance audits.
• Reduction or elimination of costs associated with compliance audits.
• Recognition of due diligence - reduction or elimination of fines associated with
• environmental violations.
• Preferred government supplier status.
• Reduced monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Faster track for permits.

• Communicates evaluation and acceptance by an accredited, third-party professional organization.
• Negates "conflict of interest" claims associated with organizations that "self-declare" the status of their programs.
• Validates the integrity of an organization’s claims.
• Provides organizations with an un-biased review of their programs, policies, etc.
• Addresses an anticipated recommendation by the US EPA.
• Addresses an anticipated requirement between customers and suppliers.
• Addresses an anticipated requirement to compete in international markets.
• Addresses an anticipated requirement of international and national government purchasing departments.
• Fulfillment of contractual requirements of customers in the business sector. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy has made it a requirement that specific contractors be certified to ISO 14001
• Improvement in company's competitive stance relative to overseas trade, such as the Asian Rim countries.
• Regulatory incentives that reward companies showing environmental leadership through certified compliance with an environmental management system.
• Pollution prevention and waste reduction with attendant savings and expense reduction. Demonstration to shareholder groups of environmental responsibility in investments and financial reports.
• Proof for insurance companies who are reluctant to issue coverage for pollution incidents unless firms have a proven environmental management system.
• Preference in bank loans--some institutions, such as the World Bank provide lower interest rates for implementation of environmental protection
• Possible reduction in need for multiple on-site audits by regulatory agencies.