ISO 46001, a guide to sustainable water management
With the arrival of summer and its periods of drought, we take a closer look at the voluntary standard and ISO 46001 certification for implementing and reporting on sustainable water management.
Water management
It's summer! And with it, unfortunately, come periods of drought and water stress. As is often the case in France, the response is regulatory, at least on the part of the government. This is evidenced by the list of the 50 industrial sites that consume the most water, which was drawn up by the public authorities in March 2024. Under what is now known as the Water Plan, these factories must reduce their water consumption by at least 10% by 2030.
Alongside regulations, which provide the "why," there is standardization, which provides the "how." When it comes to rational water management, standardization offers a valuable tool: voluntary standards. ISO 46001 An international standard accompanied by certification of the same name, which certifies, following a third-party audit, that the company is continuously improving in this area. ISO 46001 provides recommendations on monitoring and measurement, documentation, reporting, design and purchasing practices for equipment, systems, and processes, and finally on skills and staff recruitment.
ISO 46001 certification: leading by example
The standard helps organizations assess their water use and identify, plan, and implement measures to save water through three principles: reduction (by using water-efficient appliances, monitoring usage, and tracking losses and leaks), replacement of potable water (with reused water, rainwater, or seawater), and reuse (by recycling process water or gray water).
This approach appealed to optical lens manufacturer Hoya Vision Care France. With three sites in France and 200 employees, the company was keen to gain recognition for its good water management practices, even though it is not on the list of 50 high-consumption sites. "We wanted to set an example," says Isa Bouglime, Director of Public Affairs. "The group's Japanese management closely followed our innovative approach. In a highly regulated environment such as France, we have demonstrated our capacity for innovation, with tangible results." Following the audit carried out by AFNOR Certification, the company received certification. AFAQ ISO 46001 .
Interested, among other things, in distinguishing yourself in a call for tenders? You can also call on an expert. AFNOR BAO to prepare for it.
