The use of natural water resources both in the production industry and for human consumption undoubtedly has an impact on the environment. Awareness of its impact effects, or “fingerprint”, is a first step in developing strategies to reduce these effects. With regard to water resources, this can only be possible by measuring its use and the impact of this use on the life cycles of products, processes and organizations.
ISO 14046: 2014 provides principles, requirements and guidelines related to water footprint assessment for products, processes and organizations based on life cycle assessment (LCA) (https://www.iso.org/standard/43263.html).
ISO 14046 standard refers to the reduction of the use of fresh water for production. As a result of the implementation of this standard in the industry, water is saved for the next generation. Water is considered one of the most important natural resources in the world, therefore the implementation of this international standard will identify the potential impact and control measures will be taken in order to save water resources.
Benefits due to the implementation of the ISO 14046 standard:
– allows the scientific and objective assessment of the impact on water associated with a product or organization.
– assess and prepare for future risks to water consumption;
– identify ways to reduce the environmental impacts of your water use;
– improves the quality of the environment by streamlining the use of water at the product, process and organization level.
