ISO manual on water use for SMEs

This novel ISO manual actually deals with a well-known issue. Sebastien Humbert, a co-author, points out that water footprinting is a relatively new type of assessment compared to other methods such as CO2 footprinting. - As many different methods there are, as many different results it brings with it.

Nonetheless, clean water for life is one of our most precious resources. Water is essential to life and yet a good 40 percent of the world's population lacks this resource. At the same time, man is his own enemy, because more than 80 percent of the wastewater produced by society flows back into the ecosystem neither treated nor usable.

Limit water use

The problem of this elusive resource is well known. Regulating water use alongside several sustainable development goals is very complex. As studies by the United Nations have repeatedly shown, governments and companies are also on different stages when it comes to water distribution.

The ISO manual addresses social premises on how to deal with global water scarcity and how to limit water use. Before taking political or entrepreneurial positions, one should at least be able to measure "water".

ISO 14046

ISO 14046 aims at international unity, seeking a common language - if you will - for resource managers. The ISO manual, which takes into account thousands of contributors from around 60 countries and 20 non-governmental organizations, is a reference work for understanding environmental impacts at various levels.

The new handbook "ISO 14046: Environmental Management - Water footprint" also provides Swiss SMEs with practical instructions on how to manage their water consumption.

You can find out more about standards in the ISO 14000 environmental field at this Link