What is ISO 46001?
ISO 46001 specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, and managing a Water Efficiency Management System (WEMS) to systematically reduce water consumption and improve water stewardship.
Published in 2019, ISO 46001 was developed in response to the growing global water crisis. The United Nations estimates that by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population could face water stress conditions. Organizations across all sectors consume significant water resources, and ISO 46001 provides a systematic framework to optimize water use, reduce waste, and contribute to water security.
The standard applies to any organization that uses water in its operations, regardless of size, sector, or geographic location. It covers water input (sources), water use (processes and activities), and water output (discharge and reuse). ISO 46001 helps organizations identify water efficiency opportunities, set measurable targets, implement improvement actions, and continuously monitor performance.
ISO 46001 is designed to integrate with other management systems like
ISO 14001 Environmental Management,
ISO 50001 Energy Management, and
ISO 9001 Quality Management,
allowing organizations to manage water efficiency alongside environmental, energy, and quality objectives.