Courses, Sustainability and Environment

Course Overview

The ISO 14051:2011 Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) Professional Course provides participants with the technical knowledge and practical skills to apply Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) as a tool for improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, and linking environmental performance to financial outcomes.

ISO 14051 Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) Professional, as outlined in ISO 14051:2011, is an environmental management accounting method that helps organizations identify material and energy losses in both physical and monetary terms. This course equips professionals to implement MFCA systems across manufacturing, services, and supply chains, interpret data for decision-making, and integrate MFCA insights into sustainability and cost management frameworks.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to apply ISO 14051 principles to analyze, report, and optimize material flow processes within their organizations or client operations.

Course Objectives

This course aims to enable participants to:

  1. Understand the principles, scope, and structure of ISO 14051:2011.
  2. Identify and analyze material and energy flows within organizational processes.
  3. Quantify physical and monetary losses across production and service systems.
  4. Apply MFCA tools for improving resource efficiency and cost control.
  5. Develop an MFCA implementation plan aligned with sustainability strategies.
  6. Link MFCA results to environmental performance, cost savings, and decision-making.
  7. Prepare internal MFCA reports for management and voluntary sustainability disclosures.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the training, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the concepts and benefits of Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA).
  • Apply ISO 14051 methodologies to identify and quantify material losses.
  • Construct MFCA models and cost allocation systems.
  • Interpret MFCA data to support environmental and financial performance improvement.
  • Communicate MFCA results effectively to management and stakeholders.
  • Support integration of MFCA with ISO 14001, ISO 50001, and ESG reporting frameworks.
  • Serve as an MFCA Professional capable of leading implementation initiatives.

Graduates earn the title:
 “Cognicert ISO 14051 MFCA Professional”

Reference Standards and Guidelines

The course references internationally recognized standards and frameworks, including:

  • ISO 14051:2011 — Environmental management — Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) — General framework
  • ISO 14052:2017 — Practical implementation guidance for MFCA in supply chains
  • ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management Systems
  • ISO 14031:2013 — Environmental Performance Evaluation
  • ISO 14044:2006 — Life Cycle Assessment — Requirements and Guidelines
  • UNEP Environmental Management Accounting Procedures and Principles (EMA)
  • Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) — particularly GRI 301 (Materials) and GRI 302 (Energy)

Target Audience

This course is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their competence in environmental and financial resource management, including:

  • Environmental and sustainability managers
  • Financial controllers and cost accountants
  • Process engineers and production managers
  • Quality and environmental auditors
  • Consultants in resource efficiency and sustainability
  • Academics, researchers, and policy professionals in green economics
  • Anyone seeking a professional certification in MFCA application

Course Content

The course follows a structured progression from foundational understanding to advanced application:

  1. Introduction to MFCA and ISO 14051
    • Evolution of material flow cost accounting
    • Overview of ISO 14051 structure and key terms
    • Relationship with environmental and cost accounting frameworks
  2. MFCA Principles and Framework
    • Understanding material and energy flows
    • Defining system boundaries, inputs, and outputs
    • Identification of positive and negative products
  3. Quantification and Cost Assignment
    • Measuring physical flows and energy use
    • Converting physical quantities into monetary values
    • Cost categories: material cost, energy cost, system cost, waste management cost
  4. MFCA Implementation Process
    • Planning and designing an MFCA system
    • Data collection and validation
    • Building flow models and conducting analysis
    • Identifying improvement opportunities
  5. Integration with Other Standards and Management Systems
    • Aligning MFCA with ISO 14001 environmental management systems
    • Linkages with life cycle assessment (ISO 14044) and carbon footprinting (ISO 14067)
    • Supporting sustainability and circular economy initiatives
  6. Reporting, Evaluation, and Decision-Making
    • Preparing MFCA reports for internal use and management review
    • Presenting material and cost efficiency findings
    • Continuous improvement through data-driven actions
  7. Case Studies and Practical Exercises
    • Real-world MFCA applications in manufacturing, food processing, and service industries
    • Group work on developing and analyzing a material flow model
    • Interactive simulations on cost and resource optimization
  8. Examination and Competency Assessment
    • Final assessment through a case-based written test and practical MFCA evaluation exercise
    • Participant feedback and performance review

Training Methodology

This course uses a practical, competency-based training approach designed to equip participants with applied MFCA skills through:

  • Interactive lectures explaining ISO 14051 requirements and practical examples.
  • Workshops and group exercises on material flow mapping and cost analysis.
  • Real-world case studies from manufacturing, food service, and logistics sectors.
  • Simulations to practice developing MFCA models and interpreting results.
  • Discussions and peer review sessions to deepen understanding.
  • Knowledge assessments (quizzes, group presentations, and a final exam).

Duration

  • 5 Days (35 Hours)

🟩 Certification Award

Participants who successfully complete the course and pass the final assessment will receive:
“Cognicert ISO 14051 Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) Professional Certificate” issued by Cognicert (or equivalent accredited training body), confirming their professional competence in MFCA application and implementation.