Skip to main content
EERE » AMO eGuide » ISO 50001 ENERGY MANAGEMENT

Introduction to eGuide Level 2 for ISO 50001

What is eGuide Level 2?

Level 2 of the eGuide is a comprehensive resource designed for organizations that desire to implement the International Standard ISO 50001-2011, Energy management systems—Requirements with guidance for use for any purpose, including meeting the energy management system (EnMS) requirements of the Superior Energy PerformanceTM program. Level 2 provides guidance information to help you understand the ISO 50001 requirements and the actions you need to take, along with resources and examples to help your organization get started.

Like eGuide Level 1 for foundational energy management, Level 2 for ISO 50001 is organized into a step-by-step approach. The tasks and other actions within each step are intended to result in implementation of the specific ISO 50001 requirements for that part of the EnMS. eGuide Level 2 is not, however, a substitute for purchasing the ISO 50001-2011 standard. Level 2 should be used in conjunction with the ISO 50001 standard. This enables you to read the ISO 50001 requirements from the source document, and then use eGuide Level 2 for explanatory information and step by step guidance on implementation strategies and resources.

As an ISO 50001 implementation resource, eGuide Level 2 presents and follows certain approaches to implementing the various processes of the EnMS. But, there is no representation intended that the methods, approaches, tools and examples presented in Level 2 are the only way to implement the requirements for an ISO 50001 EnMS.

What is ISO 50001?

ISO 50001-2011 is an International Standard that specifies requirements for an energy management system (EnMS). The requirements are used to establish and implement a systematic approach to managing energy and achieving energy performance improvements using a Plan-Do-Check-Act continual improvement framework. ISO 50001 can be implemented in any type of organization regardless of the types of energy used. The standard can be used for certification or self-declaration of an organization’s EnMS. Based on the common elements of ISO management system standards, ISO 50001 has a high level of compatibility with ISO 9001-2008 quality management systems and ISO 14001-2004 environmental management systems.

Single license electronic copies of the ISO 50001 standard can be purchased from GTESS.
Site licenses (for posting on internal networks) can be purchased from ANSI.

Does use of Level 2 in the eGuide guarantee ISO 50001 certification?

Use of Level 2 of the eGuide does not itself guarantee that your organization will attain third-party ISO 50001 certification. Certification requires not only that the system is fully implemented, but that it is effective. Effectiveness depends on proper implementation and operation of the EnMS so that it achieves the intended results of improved energy management and improved energy performance. This is under the control and responsibility of your organization.

What is the difference between eGuide Level 1 and eGuide Level 2?

In eGuide Level 1, foundational energy management, you develop an energy management program focused on a continuous approach to implementing energy projects and sustaining the energy savings achieved. This is accomplished by ensuring that the needed training, communication and operational controls are addressed as part of the action plans and that they remain in place as needed after completion of the project.

In implementing ISO 50001, you are transitioning your energy management program to an energy management system(EnMS). This involves activities and processes designed to embed energy management into your daily operations. In short, energy management becomes part of your organizational culture and an integrated element in how your organization conducts its business.

An ISO 50001 EnMS is concerned not only with making energy performance improvements through energy projects (and associated action plans), but also with ongoing management of the significant energy uses and compliance with energy-related legal and other requirements. This is accomplished by structuring energy management processes around a continual improvement framework that ensures that actions are planned, implemented, checked, and the results used to continually improve both energy performance and the EnMS.

Level 1 and Level 2 share many tasks in common. If you are transitioning to Level 2 from Level 1, everything from your Level 1 efforts will be useful and relevant. However, in Level 2 for ISO 50001, typically there are more details to be addressed as part of a common task, as well as additional tasks to implement that are not part of a Level 1 foundational energy management program.

How long does it take to work through the eGuide Level 2 for ISO 50001 Implementation?

All levels within the eGuide are designed to allow your organization to progress at a self-directed pace. Typically, the timeframe for working through Level 2 will coincide with the timeframe established for the overall ISO 50001 implementation effort. This is a decision made by your organization based on organizational priorities and available resources.

For some organizations, implementing ISO 50001 may be a customer or supply chain mandate with a specified timeframe. In other cases, the organization may already have management systems in place that can be leveraged to shorten the time needed for EnMS implementation. This would include, for example, organizations with existing management systems for quality (ISO 9001), environmental (ISO 14001), safety and health (ISO 45001), food safety (ISO 22000), or the like.

Generally speaking, private sector firms achieve management system implementation within 12 to 18 months, while public sector organizations can take up to 18 to 24 months. Firms with existing ISO management systems typically implement the new management system within 6 to 12 months. Of course, the timeframe for implementation within any organization corresponds directly with the level of resources allocated for the effort.

Where do you start in Level 2?

There are two options for getting started with Level 2 if you are transitioning from Level 1. The first option is to start with Step 1.1.1 to ensure a full understanding of the Plan-Do-Check-Act continual improvement framework on which ISO 50001 is based. Depending on whether top management has committed to implementing ISO 50001, you can then move to Step 1.2 and Step 1.3, or Step 1.4, as appropriate. Another way to access Level 2 is to start from the Level 1 steps that you have already completed and click on “Next Level” which will take you to transition text for that Step. From there, you can use the Navigation Tables to access the Level 2 information and resources.

If your organization has not yet made a decision on whether to implement ISO 50001, it will be important to build and present to management your organization’s business case for such an effort. In this case, start with Step 1.1 and Step 1.2. Once the decision to move forward has been made, you can then follow Level 2 step-by-step to secure top management commitment and move forward with developing and implementing the EnMS.

If your organization has already made the decision to implement an ISO 50001 EnMS, then you will want to start with Step 1.3 and secure the necessary commitments and resources needed for EnMS implementation.

Users who already have management systems in place (e.g. ISO 9001-2008, ISO 14001-2004) also will want to start with Step 1.3. However, if the organization has decided to integrate the EnMS with an existing management system, then there may be sections of Level 2 within Steps 3, 4, and 5 that may need only to be reviewed to the extent that the organization has enough information to make decisions on how existing management system processes will need to be modified to accommodate the EnMS.

It is recommended that the management representative (see Step 1.4) and the energy team (see Step 1.5) work through the eGuide in a coordinated fashion so that the appropriate team members have reviewed the relevant information and are prepared to take action to complete the tasks using the guidance and implementation resources within eGuide Level 2.

What other information do I need to start on eGuide Level 2?

ISO 50001-2011 is very “lean” on required documentation, so decisions on what documents and records are needed for your energy management system (EnMS) are up to your organization. eGuide Level 2 has a series of documents that explain the basics of ISO management system documentation, address the specifics of ISO 50001 documentation requirements and provide guidance on making decisions about EnMS documents and records.

If your organization is new to ISO management system documentation, you can benefit from reviewing all the documents in the series. If your organization already has implemented another ISO management system standard, such as ISO 9001 or ISO 14001, then you can use the series as a refresher or as an introduction to the documentation specifics of ISO 50001. All of the documents in the series are accessible through Level 2 of the U.S. DOE eGuide website.

The documents in the series are: