What is ISO 46001?
ISO 46001:2019 is the international standard that provides guidance for implementing a Water Efficiency Management System (WEMS). It is designed for organizations that aim to manage water use more effectively by improving water efficiency, reducing waste and ensuring sustainable practices across their operations.
The standard follows a management system approach similar to ISO 14001 (environmental management) and is structured using the Annex SL framework, making it compatible with other ISO systems. ISO 46001 provides a clear methodology for assessing water use, implementing action plans and monitoring performance.
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Scope and Applicability
ISO 46001 is applicable to all organizations, regardless of size, type, that wish to improve their water efficiency performance. This includes:
- Industrial plants and manufacturing facilities
- Commercial complexes and office buildings
- Hotels, hospitals, and educational institutions
- Municipal facilities and water utilities
- Government agencies and infrastructure operators
Whether the goal is to reduce water bills or align with corporate sustainability goals, It offers a scalable approach to water management.
Want to know how ISO 46001 can be implemented in your facility? Email support@pacificcert.com!
Certification Process
ISO 46001 is a certifiable standard, below are the steps to become certified!
- Gap Analysis – Review of current water use practices against ISO 46001 requirements.
- System Design – Development of water use baseline, objectives, and action plans.
- Implementation – Establishment of operational controls, measurement, and awareness programs.
- Internal Audit and Review – Evaluation of system performance and readiness.
- Third-Party Audit – Conducted by an accredited body such as us, Pacific Certifications.
We offer audit and certification support, contact support@pacificcert.com to begin!
Clause-wise Structure of ISO 46001:2019
Clause No. | Clause Title | Description |
1 | Scope | Defines the scope of the standard, which is to help organizations manage and improve water use efficiently. |
2 | Normative References | Lists normative references. This standard does not refer to any other normative documents. |
3 | Terms and Definitions | Provides key definitions relevant to water efficiency, such as “baseline,” “recycled water,” and “water balance.” |
4 | Context of the Organization | Requires understanding internal and external issues, interested parties, and determining the scope of the WEMS. |
5 | Leadership | Specifies leadership responsibilities including commitment, policy, roles, responsibilities, and authority related to water efficiency. |
6 | Planning | Covers risk and opportunity assessment, water use review, establishing a water balance and baseline, and setting water efficiency objectives. |
7 | Support | Addresses resource allocation, competence, awareness, communication, and documented information required to support the WEMS. |
8 | Operation | Focuses on operational planning and control, including implementation of water efficiency improvement plans and maintenance of water systems. |
9 | Performance Evaluation | Specifies monitoring, measurement, analysis, evaluation of water use, internal audits, and management review. |
10 | Improvement | Outlines processes for addressing nonconformities, taking corrective actions, and ensuring continual improvement of the WEMS. |
How to Implement ISO 46001?
To implement ISO 46001 effectively:
- Establish your baseline water consumption and identify key areas of use, losses, and inefficiencies.
- Set measurable targets, such as percentage reductions, reuse rates, or leak detection coverage.
- Include process optimization, equipment upgrades, behavioral change, and recycling initiatives.
- Install water meters, data loggers, or automation tools to monitor performance and detect anomalies.
- Train employees and suppliers on efficient practices, emergency response, and reporting protocols.
- Conduct periodic reviews to evaluate performance, update plans, and respond to changing conditions.
Need expert guidance with ISO 46001 roadmap? Reach out at support@pacificcert.com!
Documentation Required
ISO 46001 requires comprehensive documentation to demonstrate the design and performance of the Water Efficiency Management System. Key documents include:
- Water efficiency policy and objectives
- Water use profile (baseline)
- Action plans and performance indicators
- Legal and regulatory compliance records
- Risk and opportunity assessments
- Operational controls and procedures
- Training and communication records
- Internal audit reports and management reviews
Eligibility Criteria
ISO 46001 is suitable for:
- Facilities with significant water usage or water-related risks
- Organizations seeking to reduce operating costs through efficiency
- Businesses pursuing green building certifications or sustainability KPIs
- Entities in water-stressed regions or facing regulatory pressure
- Multinationals seeking to align global operations with SDGs and ESG goals
If you’re unsure whether your organization qualifies or is ready for ISO 46001, email us at support@pacificcert.com.
Certification Costs
Certification costs depend on several key factors:
- Size and complexity of the organization
- Number of locations and diversity of water use activities
- Existing level of water data and control systems
- Degree of alignment with other management systems
- Training, gap closure, and documentation development needs
Pacific Certifications offers transparent pricing after an initial scoping discussion. For an estimate, contact support@pacificcert.com.
Certification Timeline
Week | Activities |
Week 1 | Water use assessment and scope definition |
Week 2 | System design: policy, baseline, action plan |
Week 3 | Documentation development and resource allocation |
Week 4 | Implementation of metering, controls, and training |
Week 5 | Internal audit and management review |
Week 6 | Third-party certification audit and final gap closure |
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What are the requirements of ISO 46001?
ISO 46001 requires organizations to establish a structured Water Efficiency Management System (WEMS) by identifying internal and external water use factors, conducting a water use review, and developing a water balance and baseline. Below are the key requirements:
- Establish a water efficiency policy, assign responsibilities, and provide resources.
- Set objectives and targets, identify risks and opportunities, and develop a water use profile.
- Ensure availability of metering tools, documentation, staff competence, and stakeholder communication.
- Implement operational controls, emergency plans, and water-saving measures.
- Monitor water use, analyze performance, conduct audits, and evaluate efficiency improvements.
- Take corrective actions, update policies, and enhance systems based on outcomes and audits.
What are the benefits of ISO 46001?
Implementing ISO 46001 offers organizations a strategic approach to managing water use more efficiently. One of the most immediate benefits is the reduction in water consumption, which directly translates into lower utility costs, below are the other benefits:
- Systematic management leads to lower water bills and minimized waste through leak detection and recycling.
- Certification showcases your commitment to sustainability and responsible resource use.
- Helps organizations meet or exceed water-related laws, permits, and reporting obligations.
- Protects against water scarcity, supply disruptions, and climate-related risks.
- Aligns with LEED, BREEAM, GRESB, and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
- Reassures clients, investors, and regulators that you manage water risk transparently and responsibly.
- Promotes adoption of water-saving technologies and sustainable infrastructure.
- Easily integrates with ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and ISO 9001 for a holistic sustainability strategy.
Water stress is a top concern globally. According to the World Resources Institute, over 25% of the world’s population faces extremely high-water stress. Governments, investors are placing increased pressure on organizations to manage water sustainably.
ISO 46001 adoption is gaining momentum from manufacturing to agriculture, industries where water efficiency is also business continuity.
Additionally, ESG investors and sustainability reporting frameworks (GRI, SASB) are prioritizing water data as a critical disclosure item. ISO 46001 helps standardize this data and align water practices with global best practices.
Want to lead in sustainable water management? Reach out to us at support@pacificcert.com.
How Pacific Certifications Can Help?
We at Pacific Certifications provide end-to-end services for ISO 46001 certification:
- Conducts independent Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits to evaluate compliance with ISO 46001 requirements
- Issues ISO 46001 certification upon successful audit
- Performs surveillance audits at defined intervals
- Offers recertification audits at the end of the certification cycle
- Provides audit reports with findings and observations, enabling organizations to identify improvement areas within their WEMS
- Ensures impartial, accredited certification services in line with international conformity assessment standards
Whether you’re reducing costs or achieving green goals, our team ensures your system is efficient and audit-ready.
To begin your ISO 46001 certification project, contact support@pacificcert.com.
FAQ on ISO 46001
Is ISO 46001 certifiable?
Yes, organizations can receive third-party certification for their water efficiency management systems.
Does it apply only to large industries?
No, ISO 46001 is scalable and suitable for small, medium, and large organizations.
Can it be integrated with ISO 14001 or 9001?
Yes, it uses the Annex SL structure and integrates easily.
Does ISO 46001 include wastewater management?
Yes, it includes water reuse, recycling, and waste reduction strategies.
How long does certification take?
Typically 6–8 weeks, depending on readiness and system complexity.
Ready to get ISO 46001 certified?
Contact Pacific Certifications to begin your certification journey today!
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