What It Is

ISO 50001:2018 is an international certification standard for Energy Management Systems (EnMS). It provides a systematic framework to improve energy performance—efficiency, use, and consumption—across organizations. Built on the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and Annex SL High-Level Structure, it enables integration with ISO 9001 and 14001.

Key Components

• **Clauses 4-10Context, leadership, planning (energy review, SEUs, EnPIs, EnBs), support, operation, evaluation, improvement.
• Energy policy, data collection plan, operational controls, procurement criteria.
• Requires documented evidence of continual energy performance improvement.
• Optional third-party certification via ISO 50003.

Why Organizations Use It

• Reduces energy costs (4-20% savings), enhances resilience, cuts GHG emissions.
• Meets regulatory expectations (e.g., EU directives), boosts ESG credibility.
• Manages risks like supply volatility; provides competitive procurement edge.

Implementation Overview

• Phased: gap analysis, energy review, action plans, monitoring, audits.
• Applies to all sectors/sizes; 12-18 months typical.
• Involves metering investment, training, cross-functional teams.

What It Is

APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 (Information Security) is a binding prudential regulation issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, effective 1 July 2019. It mandates APRA-regulated entities like banks, insurers, and super funds to maintain information security capabilities commensurate with threats to minimize incidents impacting confidentiality, integrity, or availability of information assets. The approach is risk-based, requiring proportionate governance, controls, testing, and third-party oversight.

Key Components

• Governance with Board ultimate accountability and defined roles.
• Asset classification by criticality/sensitivity; commensurate controls across lifecycle.
• Systematic testing, independent assurance, incident response plans.
• 72-hour APRA notification for material incidents; 10-day for control weaknesses. No fixed control count; compliance via evidence, not certification.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory for regulated entities to avoid penalties, remediation orders. Enhances resilience, reduces operational risk, builds customer trust, enables partnerships. Provides competitive edge through robust cyber posture.

Implementation Overview

Phased: gap analysis, policy framework, asset register, controls, testing, monitoring. Applies to all sizes of APRA entities in Australia; group-wide for heads. Requires internal audit; no external certification but APRA scrutiny.