ISO 14001 is an international standard that sets out the requirements for an environmental management system. It helps organizations improve their environmental performance through more efficient use of resources, reduction of waste, and gaining a competitive advantage. The main components of ISO 14001 include environmental policy, objectives and plans, environmental impacts assessment, monitoring and evaluation of environmental performance, handling environmental non-conformities, and emergency situations. These components apply to organizations by guiding them in managing their interactions with the environment and improving their environmental performance systematically.