The differences between actions, processes, and procedures according to ISO 14001

Actions are what we do. For example, we monitor energy consumption. We segregate wastes. We prevent environmental emergencies.

A process is a set of interrelated actions that work together to convert inputs into outputs. For example, we manage waste. We monitor environmental performance.

Procedures are documents specifying the way to carry out an activity or a process. A procedure is about the what, the who, the when, and sometimes the how (most of the time the how is in a specific kind of documentation called work instruction.