Certification ISO 50001 | Energy Management

ISO 50001: Certified energy management system

There are many good reasons to pay attention to your company's energy efficiency. From a global perspective, it helps with the urgently needed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. But a certified energy management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001 also has advantages in terms of your company's profitability.

This is because a certified energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 supports you in the continuous improvement of your energy-related performance, i.e. in the improvement of energy efficiency, energy use and energy consumption.

The energy management system also supports you in increasing your competitiveness and reducing energy costs. It also enhances your public image.

Request your ISO 50001 quote

Target group

An energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 is the ideal basis for companies of all sizes, both nationally and internationally, to demonstrate their expertise and performance. A key advantage is that the standard can be implemented across all sectors - both for production companies and service providers.

ISO 50001: Your advantages at a glance

Your company systematically examines its energy-related performance and recognises and exploits potential energy savings
You sensitise your employees and suppliers to the sustainable use of energy resources
You save costs by reducing energy consumption
You conserve resources and support the general climate protection goals by reducing your CO2 emissions
You increase your competitiveness

As a manufacturing company, you benefit from the limitation of the KWKG levy or the offshore grid levy as part of the "special equalisation scheme" (Section 28 ff EnFG)
If you operate in a sector or sub-sector of the EU ETS that is eligible for aid, you can apply for aid for indirect CO2 costs in accordance with the Carbon Leakage Regulation (BECV) and the Electricity Price Compensation (SPK) Funding Directive
You are exempt from energy audits in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1
Your public image is positively reinforced

Infographic PDCA cycle – The process: Plan, Do, Check, Act

The Plan-Do-Check-Act model as the basis for your energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001

ISO 50001 is based on the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" model. This is divided into four phases and is to be understood as a continuous improvement process. The continuous improvement process is intended to prevent stagnation and ensure that companies adapt to changing situations in good time and realise new savings potential.

Plan: Firstly, an energy assessment is carried out: the initial energy situation is determined, energy performance indicators are defined (EnPIs), energy targets and policies as well as action plans are drawn up.

Do: The Do phase involves the introduction and initial implementation of the energy management system (EnMS). In addition to the creation of structures, this includes, for example, the establishment of communication and documentation processes and the training of employees. They must demonstrate both technical and energy awareness competences.

Check: The check phase focuses on monitoring, measuring and analysing energy-related performance. This phase concludes with a management review. Improvements are then made: measures are finalised, modified or permanently implemented.

Act: In the Act phase, new measures for the continuous improvement of energy-related performance and the EnMS are finally decided. Corrections may also need to be made, e.g. to the energy targets, the EnPIs, the baselines or the energy policy.

Change in accreditation

The German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) has converted the accreditation of TÜV NORD CERT GmbH (TN CERT) to the international accreditation standard DIN ISO 50003:2022 as of 2 August 2023.

The changeover will result in changes to the calculation rule as well as the audit procedure and documentation. Your certificates and any sub-certificates will not change as a result of the changeover.

For existing customers, the new calculation rule does not apply until the next recertification. However, the changes regarding audit performance and documentation apply immediately, i.e. they will be implemented in the next audit of the current certification cycle.

For new customers, both the amended calculation rule and the changes regarding audit performance and documentation apply with immediate effect.

We have summarised the main changes for you below:

What has changed?

Weighting of calculation-relevant parameters (calculation)
Pareto approach in determining the types of energy (customer questionnaire)
Consideration of external consumption points and unmanned locations (customer questionnaire)

Audit of a sample of primary data sources (e.g. energy bills)
Identification of the time required to audit the primary data sources (audit plan)
Presentation of consumption by energy source and location (audit report)

At least 80% of the calculated time must be spent on site (previously 70%).
A maximum of 20% of the calculated time must be spent on preparation and follow-up.

The implementation of measures to improve energy-related performance must be verified in surveillance audits.
In re-certification audits, the improvement in energy-related performance must be demonstrated on the basis of energy performance indicators (EnPIs).

Several sites can be considered as a single site if they are located in close proximity to each other, i.e. the number of EnMS-effective personnel, energy types, energy consumption and the number of SEUs are summarised.

The ecological benefits for companies

Mitarbeiter in Schutzkleidung vor Industrieanlage bei Dämmerung - Symbolbild zum Gesetz zur Finanzierung der Energiewende im Stromsektor

Confirmation of the self-declaration

Levy cap for companies with high electricity costs

Learn more

Energiemast - Symbolbild zum Energieeffizienzgesetz – EnEfG

Energy Efficiency Act - EnEfG

Act to finance the energy transition in the electricity sector

Learn more

Industrieanlage mit Windkrafträdern - Symbolbild BEHG-Carbon-Leakage-Verordnung

BECV - BEHG Carbon Leakage Ordinance

Relief for companies that follow the carbon leakage regulations of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Learn more

Symbolbild der Strompreiskompensation (SPK)

Electricity price compensation (SPK)

State aid for electricity-intensive production

Learn more

New regulation from 2024

SpaEfV

Peak Equalisation Efficiency System Ordinance: At the end of 2023, peak equalisation in accordance with Section 10 StromStG and Section 55 EnergieStG will no longer apply. Accordingly, TÜV NORD CERT will no longer carry out SpaEfV assessments as a conformity assessment body from 2024.

EnSimiMaV

The ordinance expired on 1 October 2024. Therefore, no more confirmations in accordance with Section 4 EnSimiMaV (Medium-Term Energy Supply Security Measures Ordinance) will be issued for measures that have been implemented or not implemented due to their lack of economic viability.

Supplementary offer for certification according to DIN EN ISO 50001

Would your company like to apply for a cap on electricity levies under the Energy Financing Act (EnFG) or for aid under the BECV Carbon Leakage Ordinance (BECV) or the SPK Subsidy Directive (SPK)?

If so, we would be delighted to send you our supplementary offer as part of your existing certification in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001:2018 or EMAS. As your trusted partner in the areas of testing, inspection and certification, it is our goal to always offer you the highest quality and reliability of our services.

Our current supplementary offer includes the verification and confirmation of specific requirements in accordance with the current legal requirements. These additional services can be provided either as part of the regular on-site audit or as a separate remote audit (desk review). The contractual agreements of your existing certification and monitoring in accordance with ISO 50001:2018 or EMAS also apply to this supplementary service.

Our supplementary offer includes:

Verification of the requirements pursuant to Section 30 No. 3 of the Energy Financing Act (EnFG) and confirmation of the self-declaration pursuant to Section 32 EnFG.
Verification of the requirements pursuant to Section 12 (2) and confirmation pursuant to Section 12 (3) of the BECV Carbon Leakage Ordinance.
Verification of the requirements pursuant to Section 12 (2) and confirmation pursuant to Section 12 (3) of the SPK Funding Directive.

Please complete the attached order form in full. Enter your company details under No. 1 and No. 2 and state the respective scope of the consideration under No. 3 a) - 3 c). Please return the completed and signed form to us.

Important deadlines:

Order placement: By 01 June 2025 at the latest.
Sending/provision of the evidence required for the verification in accordance with EnFG: as soon as possible after placing the order.
Sending the application (BECV / SPK) via DEHSt's FMS to TÜV NORD's ALIAS (hibraun): as soon as possible after the order is placed, at the latest by 1 June 2025.

Download order form

The audit process for ISO 50001 certification

1

Step 01

Enquiry, offer preparation & explanation

2

Step 02

Commissioning & individual scheduling

3

Step 03

Audit: Understanding the organisation & determining readiness for certification

4

Step 04

Identifying potential for improvement

5

Step 05

Fast four-eye check & certificate creation

6

Step 06

External TÜV certificate

7

Step 07

Continuous further development of the management system & competitiveness

Integrated Management System (IMS): Significance and Advantages

An integrated management system (IMS) combines a company's various management systems, such as quality, environmental, energy and occupational health and safety management, into a standardised structure. This promotes a standardised way of working, increases efficiency and transparency and offers numerous advantages:

Increased efficiency: Processes are linked, duplication of work is avoided and resources are utilised in a more targeted manner.
Cost reduction: Redundant processes are eliminated, which brings financial benefits.
Clear responsibilities: Clear responsibilities provide orientation.
Combined audit processes: Similar requirements can be audited together.
Greater employee motivation: Transparency and clear objectives promote acceptance and identification.

Trust from customers and partners: Certificates signal professionalism and reliability.
Flexibility and adaptability : New requirements can be integrated more quickly.
Better basis for decision-making: Centralised data collection supports strategic decisions.

An IMS improves efficiency, reduces costs, increases transparency and collaboration, and facilitates the fulfilment of legal requirements. The prerequisite for success is careful planning and implementation, with the High Level Structure (HLS) serving as a central basis to facilitate the integration of the various standards.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

FAQ on ISO 50001

ISO 50001 is an internationally valid standard that defines the requirements for an organisation's or company's energy management system. It is intended to support the introduction of a sensible, systematic energy management system with the aim of using energy more efficiently .

In principle, there is no mandatory certification and the introduction of an energy management system is voluntary. However, ISO 50001 certification in Germany is a prerequisite for important tax relief, such as peak equalisation or the limitation of the EEG levy.

Companies in the manufacturing industry use the energy management system for the application for peak equalisation (§ 10 StromStG, § 55 EnergieStG) or the EEG levy cap (§ 64 EEG).

The German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) has defined the upgrade effort for the standard conversion as follows:

For re-certification +10 per cent, but at least 2 hours on site
For surveillance +20 per cent, but at least 4 hours on site

As with the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 the so-called High Level Structure was also introduced for ISO 50001. This ensures standardised naming and numbering of the standard chapters as well as standardised definitions.

The organisation must determine internal and external influences that are relevant to the energy management system and can have a positive or negative impact on the organisation.

In future, the organisation must determine and define the interested parties relevant to its energy management system as well as their requirements and expectations.

Organisations must deal with existing and potential opportunities and risks in relation to their energy management system and plan their activities accordingly.

DIN EN ISO 50001 emphasises the responsibility of management in setting up and operating the energy management system more strongly than before.

In connection with monitoring, measuring and analysing energy-related performance, the requirements in terms of methodology have increased.

According to §§ 8 ff. Energy Services Act (EDL-G), all companies that are not small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as defined in Recommendation 2003/361/EC are obliged to carry out an energy audit in accordance with DIN EN 16247-1 at least every four years . Companies that operate a certified energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001 or can provide evidence of EMAS III validation are exempt from this obligation.

All so-called "non-SMEs" are affected:
- companies with ≥ 250 employees or
- companies with an annual turnover of > €50 million or
- companies with an annual balance sheet total > €43 million

It should be noted that affiliated companies must also be taken into account when categorising SMEs or non-SMEs. More detailed information on the SME definition can be found in the European Commission's guide.

How an energy management system can be set up on the basis of an energy audit and how efficiency potentials can be recognised and evaluated can be found in the guide "Energy management systems in practice" of the Federal Environment Agency.

Discover your next service

Certification

Certified energy management according to ISO 50001

ISO 50001: Certified energy management system

Target group

ISO 50001: Your advantages at a glance

The Plan-Do-Check-Act model as the basis for your energy management system in accordance with ISO 50001