💧 Water Efficiency
Systematic approach to reducing water consumption and improving efficiency across operations, facilities, and supply chains.
International standard for establishing, implementing, and improving water efficiency management systems to reduce water consumption, enhance stewardship, and achieve sustainability goals.
Systematic framework for managing water resources effectively, minimizing waste, and demonstrating commitment to sustainable water use across all organizational activities.
ISO 46001 provides requirements and guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a water efficiency management system (WEMS).
Published in 2019, ISO 46001 was developed in response to growing global water scarcity, increasing operational costs, and regulatory pressures related to water use. The standard helps organizations of all sizes and sectors systematically manage water resources, reduce consumption, minimize waste, and demonstrate leadership in water stewardship and environmental sustainability.
Systematic approach to reducing water consumption and improving efficiency across operations, facilities, and supply chains.
Support achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
Establish KPIs, baselines, and targets for water consumption, efficiency, and improvement initiatives.
Reduce operational costs through efficient water use, waste minimization, and process optimization.
Ensure compliance with water-related regulations, permits, discharge standards, and reporting requirements.
Demonstrate water stewardship through independent verification by accredited certification bodies.
Applicable to any organization regardless of size, sector, or geographic location that uses water in its operations.
ISO 46001 follows the Annex SL high-level structure for easy integration with other management systems.
Organizations seeking ISO 46001 certification must:
Note: ISO 46001 can be implemented standalone or integrated with ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and other management systems.
Reduce water and wastewater costs through improved efficiency, conservation measures, and waste minimization.
Demonstrate environmental stewardship and commitment to sustainable water management practices.
Meet water-related legal, regulatory, and discharge permit requirements with structured compliance systems.
Enhance ESG ratings and sustainability reporting with measurable water efficiency achievements.
Mitigate water scarcity risks, supply disruptions, and reputational risks associated with poor water stewardship.
Differentiate your organization in procurement, tenders, and stakeholder engagement through certified water management.
Build trust with investors, customers, regulators, and communities through transparent water management.
Optimize water use across operations, reduce waste, and improve overall resource efficiency.
Contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and global water stewardship initiatives.
Establishing accurate water consumption baselines across multiple sites, processes, and water sources can be complex without proper metering and monitoring systems.
Determining which processes, operations, or facilities represent the most significant water consumption and improvement opportunities requires detailed analysis.
Aligning water efficiency initiatives with existing environmental, quality, and energy management systems without duplicating efforts or creating silos.
Engaging employees, contractors, and stakeholders in water conservation practices and fostering a culture of water efficiency across the organization.
ISO 46001 is often implemented alongside other environmental and resource management standards within an integrated system.
Environmental Management Systems
Integrate water efficiency with broader environmental management including waste, emissions, and pollution prevention.
Energy Management Systems
Coordinate water and energy efficiency initiatives, particularly in energy-intensive water treatment and heating processes.
Quality Management Systems
Ensure water quality standards and process controls meet product and service quality requirements.
Risk Management (guidance)
Apply risk management frameworks to assess water scarcity, supply disruption, and compliance risks.
Food Safety Management
Coordinate water quality, safety, and efficiency requirements in food production and processing operations.
Explore our ISO 46001 certification services including water use assessments, system implementation, training, and third-party certification support.