ISO 14001 – Environmental Management Systems

Have you ever considered how much environmental issues are costing your company?

It is difficult to open a newspaper or plastics trade magazine today without reading about climate change and the environment, and especially the impact of plastics, for good or bad, on the future of the planet. That’s why more and more businesses are choosing to be certified to the international environment standard ISO14001, to demonstrate to customers and suppliers that an environmental management system is in place.

Increasingly, for many supply chains, it is not merely a ‘nice to have’, but a stated requirement. Obtaining ISO certification for the business’s environmental management systems provides an assurance that the company’s management is working hard to improve its operations in a well-planned and sensible framework. These improvements can also save hard cash and strengthen the bottom line - giving the operator an extra competitive edge that can make the difference in winning that all important key contract.

Demonstrating environmental responsibility: With both public and political focus on the plastics sector, fuelled by shock headlines in the press, businesses which have achieved ISO 14001 have been proved to have a significant commercial advantage over those who have not. By having an environmental management system and policy, the company can prove that it is environmentally aware and taking its responsibilities seriously. Staff become involved, through training and operations, which improves morale and strengthens commitment to the organization. Holding ISO 14001 certification also helps to separate responsible plastics businesses from their competitors, both in the UK and overseas.

Reducing waste: Plastics businesses which take a close look at their environmental impact invariably find opportunities to reduce waste, frequently producing significant savings. Whether it involves negotiating better fuel prices, instituting best practice which involves switching off idle machinery and computers, or even running the transport fleet more efficiently, and costs can be reduced, with a direct impact on the bottom line. Many businesses which undertake such a review also find that their waste is another business’s resource, and they can even convert waste disposal costs into direct profits.

Supply chain advantage: Holding ISO 14001 brings plastics businesses a distinct competitive advantage. It demonstrates to customers, many of whom already have their own environmental management systems in place, that even a relatively small business can have a vision of continued and sustainable growth. More and more tenders and preferred supplier lists are now making this an important requirement. Customer perception is improved through wider publicity, with many businesses using the standard as a valuable marketing tool.

ISO 14001 brings a distinct competitive advantage to businesses of all sizes in the plastics sector. Whether as a stand alone, or integrated with ISO 9001, this externally audited international standard declares that the business is taking its environmental responsibilities seriously.


This content has been kindly provided by Business Support Network Member IMSM