Standards Comparison

    ISO 14064

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standards for GHG quantification, reporting, verification

    VS

    ISO 19600

    Voluntary
    2014

    Guidelines for compliance management systems

    Quick Verdict

    ISO 14064 provides GHG quantification, reporting, and verification standards for organizations tracking emissions, while ISO 19600 offered compliance management guidelines for systematic obligation handling. Companies adopt ISO 14064 for credible climate disclosures and ISO 19600 for governance frameworks.

    Greenhouse Gas Accounting

    ISO 14064

    ISO 14064 GHG quantification and verification standards

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Three-part modular structure for inventories, projects, verification
    • Five principles: relevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy
    • Defines organizational/operational boundaries and Scopes 1-3
    • Risk-based assurance with validation/verification guidance
    • Aligns with GHG Protocol for global comparability
    Compliance Management

    ISO 19600

    ISO 19600:2014 Compliance management systems — Guidelines

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based CMS guidelines for all organizations
    • Principles of good governance and proportionality
    • PDCA cycle mirroring Annex SL structure
    • Scalable integration with existing management systems
    • Benchmark for ISO 37301 certifiable transition

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    ISO 14064 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 14064 is an international standard family (Parts 1:2018, 2:2019, 3:2019) for greenhouse gas (GHG) quantification, reporting, and assurance. It provides a modular framework for organizations to develop credible GHG inventories, project reductions, and third-party verified statements. Primary scope covers organizational-level emissions/removals (Part 1), project-level accounting (Part 2), and validation/verification (Part 3), using a principle-based approach emphasizing transparency and accuracy.

    Key Components

    • **Three interdependent partsOrganizational inventories, project quantification, assurance processes.
    • **Five core principlesRelevance, completeness, consistency, transparency, accuracy.
    • Scopes 1-3 classification with boundary options (equity/operational control).
    • No formal certification; relies on independent verification under Part 3.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Drives regulatory compliance (e.g., CSRD, SB-253), investor trust, and decarbonization strategy. Mitigates greenwashing risks, enables carbon markets, and reveals efficiency opportunities. Enhances comparability for stakeholders.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased approach: governance, boundary setting, data systems, verification. Suited for all sizes/industries; 6-12 months typical. Requires cross-functional teams, software, and ISO 14065-accredited verifiers.

    ISO 19600 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 19600:2014 is an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guideline standard titled Compliance management systems — Guidelines. It provides non-certifiable Type B guidance for establishing, implementing, evaluating, maintaining, and improving a Compliance Management System (CMS). The risk-based approach applies universally across organizations, emphasizing proportionality to size, sector, and complexity, structured around Annex SL with 10 clauses.

    Key Components

    • Core principles: good governance, proportionality, transparency, sustainability.
    • Pillars: context analysis, leadership commitment, planning (obligations/risks), support, operation, performance evaluation, improvement via PDCA cycle.
    • No fixed controls; focuses on flexible processes like risk registers, policies, training, audits.
    • Non-certifiable; used for benchmarking and internal alignment.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates legal, regulatory, reputational risks; reduces penalties and disruptions.
    • Drives efficiency (10-20% cost savings), market access, cultural integrity.
    • Enhances stakeholder trust, competitive edge in RFPs; preps for ISO 37301 transition.

    Implementation Overview

    • **Phased roadmapleadership buy-in, gap analysis, design/documentation, rollout, continuous improvement.
    • Scalable for SMEs to MNCs, all industries/geographies.
    • No formal certification; self-audits and management reviews suffice. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    ISO 14064
    GHG emissions quantification, reporting, verification
    ISO 19600
    Compliance management systems guidelines

    Industry

    ISO 14064
    All organizations, global GHG reporting
    ISO 19600
    All sectors, universal compliance governance

    Nature

    ISO 14064
    Voluntary standards family, third-party verification
    ISO 19600
    Guidelines (withdrawn), non-certifiable

    Testing

    ISO 14064
    Independent validation/verification (ISO 14064-3)
    ISO 19600
    Internal audits, management reviews

    Penalties

    ISO 14064
    No direct penalties, credibility/market risks
    ISO 19600
    No penalties, regulatory exposure remains

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about ISO 14064 and ISO 19600

    ISO 14064 FAQ

    ISO 19600 FAQ

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