ISO 14001 Management Systems

Understanding management systems in ISO 14001

ISO 14001 is the international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Beyond measuring emissions, it requires organizations to actively manage environmental risks, track nonconformities, define improvement objectives, and close corrective actions — creating a continuous improvement loop. Dcycle’s Management Systems module maps directly to the ISO 14001 Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   ISO 14001 MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN DCYCLE                    │
├──────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PDCA Phase          │  Dcycle Resources                                    │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PLAN                │  Risks & Opportunities  → identify and assess        │
│  (Clause 6)          │  Objectives             → set measurable targets     │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  DO                  │  Actions                → implement measures         │
│  (Clause 8)          │  (corrective, preventive, improvement)               │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  CHECK               │  Nonconformities        → detect deviations          │
│  (Clause 9)          │  Dashboard              → monitor KPIs               │
├──────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ACT                 │  Actions                → close and verify           │
│  (Clause 10)         │  effectiveness of corrective actions                 │
└──────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

All management system resources are scoped to a Project.Every endpoint uses /management-systems/projects/{project_id}/.... A project represents an ISO 14001 certification scope (e.g., a facility, a business unit, or the entire organization). Retrieve your project_id from the Projects API before proceeding.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

Dcycle API credentials (get them here)
A valid project_id for the ISO 14001 scope you are managing
Your organization_id (returned alongside the project)

Using the Dcycle App?You can manage risks, nonconformities, and objectives directly in the app at app.dcycle.io under Management Systems. The API is the integration layer — use it to sync from your own systems or automate workflows.

Data map: management system resources overview

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS DATA REQUIREMENTS                             │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                                                    │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │ Risks & Opportunities  (Step 1)                                              │  │
│  ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤  │
│  │  Required                     Optional                                       │  │
│  │  ─────────────────────         ──────────────────────                        │  │
│  │  • type (risk/opportunity)     • description                                 │  │
│  │  • title                       • source                                      │  │
│  │                                • iso_clause                                  │  │
│  │                                • probability_level (1-5)                     │  │
│  │                                • impact_level (1-5)                          │  │
│  │                                • owner_user_id                               │  │
│  │                                • review_date                                 │  │
│  │                                • facility_id / is_transversal                │  │
│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                                                                    │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │ Nonconformities  (Step 2)                                                    │  │
│  ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤  │
│  │  Required                     Optional                                       │  │
│  │  ─────────────────────         ──────────────────────                        │  │
│  │  • type (nonconformity/        • severity (minor/major/critical)             │  │
│  │    incident/observation)       • source, iso_clause, location                │  │
│  │  • title                       • detected_date, detected_by_user_id         │  │
│  │                                • root_cause, immediate_actions               │  │
│  │                                • area_causante, area_detectora               │  │
│  │                                • cost, facility_id                           │  │
│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                                                                    │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │ Objectives  (Step 3)                                                         │  │
│  ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤  │
│  │  Required                     Optional                                       │  │
│  │  ─────────────────────         ──────────────────────                        │  │
│  │  • title                       • target_value + current_value + unit         │  │
│  │                                • responsible_user_id                         │  │
│  │                                • start_date, end_date                        │  │
│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                                                                    │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │ Actions  (Step 4)                                                            │  │
│  ├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤  │
│  │  Required                     Optional                                       │  │
│  │  ─────────────────────         ──────────────────────                        │  │
│  │  • source_type                 • description, responsible_user_id(s)         │  │
│  │  • source_id                   • deadline, cost                              │  │
│  │  • action_type                 • effectiveness_verified + notes              │  │
│  │  • title                                                                     │  │
│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                                                                    │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Workflow overview

Identify risks and opportunities

Register environmental risks and opportunities for your project. Dcycle auto-assigns a sequential code (e.g., R-001, O-001) and computes a risk level from probability × impact.

Log nonconformities and incidents

Record deviations, incidents, or observations detected during audits or operations. Attach evidence files as needed.

Define environmental objectives

Set measurable targets linked to the project scope (e.g., “Reduce water consumption by 15%”). Track progress with current_value vs. target_value.

Create and assign actions

Link corrective, preventive, or improvement actions to a risk, opportunity, or nonconformity. Assign responsible users and deadlines.

Monitor via dashboard

Pull aggregated KPIs — open risks by level, nonconformity severity distribution, overdue actions — for management review.

Step 1: Risks and opportunities

Emission sources covered

Type	Code prefix	When to use
risk	`R-001`	Environmental threats (regulatory, operational, climate)
opportunity	`O-001`	Improvement areas (efficiency, new practices, certifications)

Risk scoring

Dcycle automatically computes risk_score and risk_level from the values you provide:

risk_score = probability_level × impact_level

risk_level:
  1–4   → low
  5–9   → medium
  10–16 → high
  17–25 → critical

📋 Data map: risks and opportunities

Field	Type	Required	Description	Example
`type`	string	✅	`"risk"` or `"opportunity"`	`"risk"`
`title`	string	✅	Short title (max 500 chars)	`"Regulatory non-compliance risk"`
`description`	string	❌	Detailed description	`"Risk of CBAM penalty if..."`
`source`	string	❌	Where it was identified	`"Internal audit Q1-2026"`
`iso_clause`	string	❌	ISO 14001 clause reference	`"6.1.2"`
`probability_level`	integer	❌	1 (low) to 5 (high)	`3`
`impact_level`	integer	❌	1 (low) to 5 (high)	`4`
`status`	string	❌	Default: `"open"`. Also: `"in_progress"`, `"closed"`	`"open"`
`owner_user_id`	UUID	❌	Responsible user	`"a8315ef3-..."`
`review_date`	date	❌	Next review date	`"2026-09-30"`
`facility_id`	UUID	❌	Scope to a specific facility	`"b9c2..."`
`is_transversal`	boolean	❌	Applies across all companies. Default: `false`	`false`

Where to get this data:

project_id: Projects API → GET /v1/projects
owner_user_id: Members API → GET /v1/members
facility_id: Facilities API → GET /v1/facilities

import requests
import os

headers = {
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.getenv('DCYCLE_API_KEY')}",
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
    "x-organization-id": os.getenv("DCYCLE_ORG_ID"),
}

project_id = "your-project-uuid"

# Create a risk
risk = {
    "type": "risk",
    "title": "Risk of permit violation due to increased waste generation",
    "source": "Internal audit Q1-2026",
    "iso_clause": "6.1.2",
    "probability_level": 3,
    "impact_level": 4,
    "status": "open",
    "review_date": "2026-09-30",
}

response = requests.post(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/risks-opportunities",
    headers=headers,
    json=risk,
)

result = response.json()
print(f"✅ Risk created: {result['code']} (level: {result['risk_level']}, score: {result['risk_score']})")

List and filter risks

# Filter by type and risk level
response = requests.get(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/risks-opportunities",
    headers=headers,
    params={
        "type": "risk",
        "risk_level": "high",
        "status": "open",
        "page": 1,
        "size": 50,
    },
).json()

print(f"📊 Open high-risks: {response['total']}")
for item in response["items"]:
    print(f"   {item['code']} - {item['title']} (score: {item['risk_score']})")

Transversal vs. facility-scoped risksUse is_transversal: true for organization-wide risks (e.g., a regulatory change affecting all sites). Use facility_id to scope a risk to a single facility. Both are mutually exclusive: if is_transversal is true, facility_id should be null.

Step 2: Nonconformities, incidents, and observations

Dcycle uses a single endpoint for all three types of deviation records. The type field distinguishes them:

Type	Code prefix	ISO 14001 context
`nonconformity`	`NC-001`	Failure to meet a requirement (Clause 10.2)
`incident`	`INC-001`	Environmental incident or near-miss
`observation`	`OBS-001`	Deviation that does not yet qualify as a nonconformity

📋 Data map: nonconformities

Field	Type	Required	Description	Example
`type`	string	✅	`"nonconformity"`, `"incident"`, or `"observation"`	`"nonconformity"`
`title`	string	✅	Short title (max 500 chars)	`"Waste segregation procedure not followed"`
`severity`	string	❌	`"minor"`, `"major"`, or `"critical"`	`"major"`
`source`	string	❌	Where detected	`"External audit ISO 14001"`
`iso_clause`	string	❌	ISO clause reference	`"8.1"`
`detected_date`	date	❌	Detection date	`"2026-04-10"`
`detected_by_user_id`	UUID	❌	Dcycle user who detected it	`"c3d4..."`
`detected_by_name`	string	❌	Name if not a Dcycle user	`"External Auditor"`
`root_cause`	string	❌	Root cause analysis	`"Lack of training"`
`location`	string	❌	Where it happened	`"Warehouse B - sorting area"`
`immediate_actions`	string	❌	Actions taken on the spot	`"Area cordoned off and waste re-sorted"`
`area_causante`	string	❌	Causing department	`"Operations"`
`area_detectora`	string	❌	Detecting department	`"Quality & Environment"`
`cost`	decimal	❌	Associated cost (in org currency)	`"1500.00"`
`facility_id`	UUID	❌	Scope to a specific facility	`"b9c2..."`

# Log a nonconformity detected during an external audit
nc = {
    "type": "nonconformity",
    "title": "Waste segregation procedure not followed in Warehouse B",
    "severity": "major",
    "source": "External ISO 14001 audit",
    "iso_clause": "8.1",
    "detected_date": "2026-04-10",
    "detected_by_name": "External Auditor - Bureau Veritas",
    "root_cause": "Lack of refresher training for new operators",
    "location": "Warehouse B - sorting area",
    "area_causante": "Operations",
    "area_detectora": "Quality & Environment",
}

response = requests.post(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/nonconformities",
    headers=headers,
    json=nc,
)

result = response.json()
print(f"✅ Nonconformity logged: {result['code']} (severity: {result['severity']})")
nonconformity_id = result["id"]

Attach evidence files

Nonconformities support file attachments (audit reports, photos, etc.) via a two-step presigned URL flow:

# Step 1: Get a presigned S3 upload URL
presigned = requests.post(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/nonconformities/{nonconformity_id}/attachments/presigned-url",
    headers=headers,
    json={"file_name": "audit-report.pdf", "content_type": "application/pdf"},
).json()

# Step 2: Upload directly to S3 (no auth headers for the S3 PUT)
with open("audit-report.pdf", "rb") as f:
    requests.put(presigned["upload_url"], data=f, headers={"Content-Type": "application/pdf"})

# Step 3: Register the attachment in Dcycle
requests.post(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/nonconformities/{nonconformity_id}/attachments",
    headers=headers,
    json={"file_name": "audit-report.pdf", "file_id": presigned["file_id"]},
)
print("✅ Attachment registered")

File names must not contain path separators.The API rejects file names with /, \, or .. to prevent path traversal. Use flat names like audit-report-2026.pdf.

Step 3: Environmental objectives

Objectives let you define measurable environmental targets and track progress over time. Dcycle auto-assigns codes like OBJ-001.

📋 Data map: objectives

Field	Type	Required	Description	Example
`title`	string	✅	Objective title (max 500 chars)	`"Reduce energy consumption by 10%"`
`description`	string	❌	Additional context	`"Aligned with ISO 14001 clause 6.2"`
`responsible_user_id`	UUID	❌	Responsible user	`"d5e6..."`
`start_date`	date	❌	Start of measurement period	`"2026-01-01"`
`end_date`	date	❌	Target completion date	`"2026-12-31"`
`status`	string	❌	Default: `"open"`. Also: `"in_progress"`, `"achieved"`, `"not_achieved"`	`"in_progress"`
`target_value`	decimal	❌	Target metric value	`"90"`
`current_value`	decimal	❌	Current metric value (updated over time)	`"95"`
`unit`	string	❌	Unit of measurement	`"MWh"`

objective = {
    "title": "Reduce electricity consumption by 10% vs. 2025 baseline",
    "description": "Aligned with ISO 14001 clause 6.2 and energy efficiency plan",
    "start_date": "2026-01-01",
    "end_date": "2026-12-31",
    "target_value": "900",
    "current_value": "1000",
    "unit": "MWh",
    "status": "in_progress",
}

response = requests.post(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/objectives",
    headers=headers,
    json=objective,
)

result = response.json()
print(f"✅ Objective created: {result['code']} - {result['title']}")
objective_id = result["id"]

Update progress

Use PATCH to update current_value as measurements come in:

# Update current consumption reading at end of Q1
requests.patch(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/objectives/{objective_id}",
    headers=headers,
    json={"current_value": "970"},
)
print("✅ Objective progress updated")

Step 4: Actions

Actions are the operational core of the management system. Every action must be linked to a source: a risk, an opportunity, or a nonconformity.

`action_type`	Purpose
`immediate`	Stop-gap measure taken on the spot
`corrective`	Eliminate root cause of a nonconformity
`preventive`	Avoid a potential nonconformity or risk
`improvement`	Enhance a process beyond minimum requirements

📋 Data map: actions

Field	Type	Required	Description	Example
`source_type`	string	✅	`"risk"`, `"opportunity"`, or `"nonconformity"`	`"nonconformity"`
`source_id`	UUID	✅	ID of the risk, opportunity, or nonconformity	`"e7f8..."`
`action_type`	string	✅	`"immediate"`, `"corrective"`, `"preventive"`, `"improvement"`	`"corrective"`
`title`	string	✅	Action title (max 500 chars)	`"Deliver waste segregation training"`
`description`	string	❌	Detailed steps	`"Mandatory 2h session for all operators"`
`responsible_user_id`	UUID	❌	Primary responsible user	`"f9a0..."`
`responsible_user_ids`	UUID[]	❌	Multiple responsible users (max 50)	`["f9a0...", "b1c2..."]`
`deadline`	date	❌	Target completion date	`"2026-05-15"`
`status`	string	❌	Default: `"open"`. Also: `"in_progress"`, `"completed"`, `"cancelled"`	`"open"`
`cost`	decimal	❌	Estimated cost	`"800.00"`

action = {
    "source_type": "nonconformity",
    "source_id": nonconformity_id,
    "action_type": "corrective",
    "title": "Deliver mandatory waste segregation refresher training",
    "description": "2-hour session for all Operations staff. Attendance to be recorded.",
    "deadline": "2026-05-15",
    "status": "open",
    "cost": "800.00",
}

response = requests.post(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/actions",
    headers=headers,
    json=action,
)

result = response.json()
print(f"✅ Action created: {result['code']} (source: {result['source_code']})")
action_id = result["id"]

Close and verify effectiveness

When the action is completed, mark it as done and record effectiveness verification — required by ISO 14001 Clause 10.2:

requests.patch(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/actions/{action_id}",
    headers=headers,
    json={
        "status": "completed",
        "completion_date": "2026-05-12",
        "effectiveness_verified": True,
        "effectiveness_notes": "All 18 operators attended. Follow-up audit confirmed correct segregation.",
    },
)
print("✅ Action closed with effectiveness verification")

Actions are linked to their source automatically.When you retrieve a nonconformity or risk via the GET /{id} endpoint, the response includes a nested actions array — no separate join needed.

Step 5: Monitor via dashboard

Pull a real-time summary of the project’s management system health:

dashboard = requests.get(
    f"https://api.dcycle.io/api/v1/management-systems/projects/{project_id}/dashboard",
    headers=headers,
).json()

risks = dashboard["risks"]
ncs = dashboard["nonconformities"]
actions = dashboard["actions"]

print(f"📊 Management System Dashboard — Project {project_id}")
print(f"   Risks total: {risks['total']}  |  by level: {risks['by_level']}")
print(f"   Nonconformities: {ncs['total']}  |  by severity: {ncs['by_severity']}")
print(f"   Actions: {actions['total']}  |  overdue: {actions['overdue_count']}")
print(f"   Corrective actions by status: {actions['corrective_by_status']}")

Dashboard response schema

Field	Type	Description
`risks.total`	integer	Total risks for the project
`risks.by_level`	object	Count per level: `low`, `medium`, `high`, `critical`
`opportunities.total`	integer	Total opportunities
`opportunities.by_status`	object	Count per status
`nonconformities.total`	integer	Total nonconformities + incidents + observations
`nonconformities.by_status`	object	Count per status
`nonconformities.by_severity`	object	Count per severity
`nonconformities.by_area_causante`	object	Count per causing department
`actions.total`	integer	Total actions
`actions.overdue_count`	integer	Actions past deadline with status not `completed`
`actions.corrective_by_status`	object	Corrective actions count by status

Auto-generated codes

Every resource gets a sequential, human-readable code automatically:

Resource	Code format	Example
Risk	`R-{sequence}`	`R-001`, `R-012`
Opportunity	`O-{sequence}`	`O-001`
Nonconformity	`NC-{sequence}`	`NC-001`
Incident	`INC-{sequence}`	`INC-003`
Observation	`OBS-{sequence}`	`OBS-007`
Objective	`OBJ-{sequence}`	`OBJ-001`
Action	Derived from source	`NC-001/AC-001`

Sequences are per-organization for risks/opportunities/objectives, and per-project for nonconformities.

Use code in audit reports and external documents — it stays stable even if the UUID is not convenient for human readers. Filter by code using the list endpoints’ search params.

Projects API

Retrieve your project IDs and organization scope

Members API

Look up user IDs for owner and responsible fields

Facilities API

Scope risks and nonconformities to specific facilities

Authentication guide

Set up API keys and organization headers

Calculate Emissions

ISO 14064

GHG Protocol

GLEC v3.0 Framework

Use Case Tutorials

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Own Workforce (Social Data)

Advanced

Automation & AI

ISO 14001 Management Systems

Understanding management systems in ISO 14001

Prerequisites

Data map: management system resources overview

Workflow overview

Step 1: Risks and opportunities

Emission sources covered

Risk scoring

List and filter risks

Step 2: Nonconformities, incidents, and observations

Attach evidence files

Step 3: Environmental objectives

Update progress

Step 4: Actions

Close and verify effectiveness

Step 5: Monitor via dashboard

Dashboard response schema

Auto-generated codes

Projects API

Members API

Facilities API

Authentication guide

Calculate Emissions

ISO 14064

GHG Protocol

GLEC v3.0 Framework

Use Case Tutorials

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Own Workforce (Social Data)

ISO 14001 Management Systems

Advanced

Automation & AI

​Understanding management systems in ISO 14001

​Prerequisites

​Data map: management system resources overview

​Workflow overview

​Step 1: Risks and opportunities

​Emission sources covered

​Risk scoring

​List and filter risks

​Step 2: Nonconformities, incidents, and observations

​Attach evidence files

​Step 3: Environmental objectives

​Update progress

​Step 4: Actions

​Close and verify effectiveness

​Step 5: Monitor via dashboard

​Dashboard response schema

​Auto-generated codes

​Related documentation

Projects API

Members API

Facilities API

Authentication guide

Understanding management systems in ISO 14001

Prerequisites

Data map: management system resources overview

Workflow overview

Step 1: Risks and opportunities

Emission sources covered

Risk scoring

List and filter risks

Step 2: Nonconformities, incidents, and observations

Attach evidence files

Step 3: Environmental objectives

Update progress

Step 4: Actions

Close and verify effectiveness

Step 5: Monitor via dashboard

Dashboard response schema

Auto-generated codes

Related documentation