The ISO Show: Episode 12 – How to comply with ESOS

Last week we covered what ESOS is, who qualifies and a brief explanation of methods of compliance. In this week’s episode we’ll go into more detail on the methods for compliance, namely ESOS Energy Audits and ISO 50001.

Episode highlights:-

ESOS Energy Audits

Planning

• Which sites are in scope of ESOS?
• What energy consuming activities are undertaken at each site?
• Calculate the % of total energy consumption for each site and activity
• Plan where to focus the ESOS audits in order for the organisation to gain the most benefit

Note: Flexibility to exclude up to 10% of your identified energy consumption under the de minimis rule. Any exclusions must be clearly detailed within your Evidence Pack together with the rationale for exclusion.

Conducting the audit (competence, sampling)

The audit plan and methodology should be developed before the audits begin and should be retained in your Evidence Pack.

When reviewing your ESOS scope, you might identify that you have a range of similar operations i.e. you may have small satellite offices or similar retail units, so you can simply take a sample of these.

A registered Lead Assessor must oversee your ESOS assessment, but individual audits can be carried out by suitably skilled people who are not Lead Assessors.

Note: Blackmores can provide qualified personnel to do these audits.

Data collection and analysis

Where to find your data?

• Facilities managers – for meter readings and invoices
• Your travel team – for information on journeys undertaken and distances travelled
• A maintenance team – for meter readings and invoices
• Vehicle fleet managers – for information on vehicles, fuel purchased and distance travelled

Identifying opportunities for improvement

The approach taken will need to be tailored to the business but could include:

• financial savings offered by the improvement measures and the necessary investment required;
• return on investment (or other agreed economic criteria);
• The comparison in terms of both cost and energy consumption between alternative energy efficiency improvement measures;

Documentation requirements

• The scope and boundaries of the audit
• The methodology adopted
• The sources of the data used
• Any significant gaps in data
• What methods were used to cover gaps in energy data through estimation

Reporting compliance to the EA

Once the ESOS report has been reviewed and signed off by the ESOS Lead Assessor and either one or two Directors, the business can then register their compliance with the environment Agency.

Notification is made via an online notification system.

The most effective route to ESOS compliance if to implement an energy management system compliant to ISO 50001.

ISO 50001 is a best practice framework to help organisations to improve their energy performance and energy efficiency, thus, reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Benefits:

• Improved resource efficiency
• Cost reduction
• Legal compliance
• Satisfy stakeholders
• Full ESOS compliance
• Competitive advantage
• Reputation
• USP

Step 1: Planning

• Identify the scope, including the physical boundaries
• Conduct a Gap Analysis to ISO 50001:2011
• Review existing data in relation to energy aspects
• Create and implementation plan to identify the resources required
• Facilitate an ‘Energy Working Group’ to champion the project and conduct an energy review

Step 2: Document the Energy Management System

• Identify and document the applicable energy legislation
• Identify and document the energy management controls
• Create the energy targets and programmes
• Document the Energy Management System

Step 3: Awareness Training

• Create the training materials for operatives and management
• Delivery of Energy Management Awareness Training
• ISO 50001 Awareness and Auditing Training (optional)
• Keep records of training attendance

Step 4: Compliance

• Plan and conduct internal audits to verify the level of compliance to ISO 50001
• Close out any Corrective and/or Preventive Actions as part of the assessment preparation
• Management Review Meeting

The Assessment

• Stage 1 – Document Review
• Stage 2 – Provide evidence of conformity to what you say you do!
• Listen to our previous 11 episodes by subscribing to us on iTunes or Soundcloud

And click HERE for further information on how we can help you with ESOS.

• Share the ISO Show on twitter or Linkedin
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or Soundcloud. Your ratings and reviews really help and I read each one.
• We’d love to hear you views on the ISO show and suggestions for future topics.