GB/T 24031-2021 in English

GB/T24031-2021, as an equivalent adopted standard of ISO14031:2013, has constructed a complete environmental performance evaluation framework including Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA). The standard highlights three major innovations:

1. Added requirements for the association between environmental performance parameters and sustainable development
2. Strengthened the application scenarios of environmental condition parameters (ECIs)
3. Refined the selection dimensions of operation performance parameters (OPIs)

1. Evaluation and planning stage

Key considerations include: life cycle perspective (from raw material acquisition to product disposal), stakeholder demands (collected through questionnaires/hearings) and industry benchmarks (such as CO₂ emissions per ton of product in the cement industry).

2. Data collection and analysis

It is recommended to use the mass balance method (see GB/T24040) to ensure data integrity, establish a metering ledger for key flows such as energy and wastewater, and use statistical tools (such as control charts) to identify abnormal values.

3. Performance improvement cycle

Case: A petrochemical company found that seal aging was the main cause of leakage through combined parameters (VOCs emissions per unit of output value + equipment inspection and maintenance frequency), and reduced emissions by 23% annually.

Compared with the 2001 version, the new standard:

• Add requirements for environmental cost management (Appendix A.4.2.2.3)
• Refine the evaluation method for supply chain environmental performance (4.2.2.3)
• Introduce the concept of ecosystem service assessment (3.3 Note 2)

Technical trend: parameter settings extend to emerging areas such as carbon footprint and biodiversity.