iso14000-digest Tuesday, June 24 1997 Volume 02 : Number 006
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 16 Jun 1997 12:45:20 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Bert P. Krages"
Subject: Report on the AWMA Annual Meeting: ISO 14000 Issues
I have just returned from the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA)
Annual Meeting held in Toronto during June 8 - 13, 1997 and thought that
some of you might be interested in what was discussed regarding ISO 14000.
The ISO 14000 sessions were among the more heavily attended and in many
instances there was standing room only (my feet are still tired). I could
not attend all the sessions since I was presenting papers on other topics
but I did keep some notes on what was discussed. For the most part, the
emphasis was on environmental management systems with little said about
product labeling or other ISO-related topics. One of the nice things about
the sessions is that there was a lot of audience questioning and discussions
and this gave some insight into the issues on people's minds. It was not
unusual for the presentations to be dominated by audience participation. In
no particular priority, here are some of the topics that seemed significant.
- - Concern that was expressed is that efforts to educate people about
ISO 14000 are hampered by the copyright restrictions and the cost of
obtaining the ISO 14000 standards. This was particularly a concern with
respect to teaching at educational institutions.
- - Another topic was whether there is in fact a good way to measure or
otherwise ascertain whether ISO 14000 enhances regulatory compliance. The
most dominant context was whether government agencies can or should provide
increased flexibility to companies implementing ISO 14000.
- - An attorney on one panel expressed the view that ISO 14000 was a
scam intended to provide consultants with a income-producing opportunity.
This certainly is not my view and I stated that in my experience that
persons in the field are not latching onto ISO 14000 merely to give them an
opportunity to market services. However, it was noted that too many
articles are being published that state only the benefits of ISO 14000 and
do not discuss all the potential ramificiations. Also, based on some of the
exhibitor booths, it also appears that some of the larger consulting firms
are starting to assert that they have ISO 14000 expretise regardless of
whether they have had prior involvement in the area.
- - There seemed to be a predominant belief that organizations will need
to see a return on investment to be motivated to implement ISO 14000. Many
of the attendees commented that ISO 14000 is market driven.
- - An insurance company representative said that there is currently no
discount given on insurance rates to companies who implement ISO 14000.
- - Concern was expressed over how ISO 14000 will be officially
interpreted and how the national bodies will participate in such
interpretations.
- - Another attorney gave a presentation on the legal impediments to
implementing ISO 14000 but the presentation was mostly limited to concerns
about confidential documents and State environmental audit privileges.
- - The most commonly cited specific benefits to ISO 14000 were that it
could facilitate getting permits and improve government relations. This
suggests that most people perceive the benefit to be in the nature of better
public relations.
Bert P. Krages
Environmental Law
900 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Suite 1900
Portland, Oregon 97204
krages@ teleport.com
http://www.teleport.com/~krages/
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 20:02:22 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Bill Casti, CQA (System Administrator)"
Subject: BOUNCE iso14000@quality.org: Non-member submission from [Pauline Derbyshire ] (fwd)
NOTE: Respond *both* to the poster's address (see below the dotted line)
and to the list's posting address, OR as directed in the posting, but
definitely NOT to me.
Thanks.
Bill
- ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 12:47:12 -0400 (EDT)
From: Pauline Derbyshire
To: iso14000@cyberq.quality.org
Subject: iso14000-digest V2 #5 -Reply
re: request for airports and POTW registered to ISO 14001:
I know of the following registrations:
Asiana Airlines, Korea, 9/96
Hereford city council, Herefordshire, UK, 6/95
(may include POTW, but not certain)
In addition, I know that two radioactive power plants have been
registered recently: one in Savanna River, NC, USA, and one in France
(I do not recall the names presently).
Hope this info is of help.
RE: compliance vs. conformance debate
This is my take on the issue of "COMMITMENT TO CONFORMANCE":
It may be practically impossible for any US company to be 100% in
compliance at any one time, but hopefully, industry works hard to
achieve this level, and is diligent in maintaining a consistent level of
compliance.
When implementing an EMS and/or certifying to ISO 14001, what an
auditor (or management rep) should look for with regards to compliance
is a SYSTEM that seeks out (in some fashion), investigates, and corrects
non-compliance issues. A commitment to comply should have the
following elements:
1. management responsibility: resources assigned to handle
compliance - which includes responsibility for finding and correcting
non-compliance; and cooperation and leadership from management
2. corrective and preventive action: an EFFECTIVE method that
addresses issues of nonconformance to the EMS and noncompliance.
It's a sure bet that if there is a history of non-compliance in one area,
then there will be non-conformance to the EMS. Corrective and
preventive action should seek out the EMS system non-conformance
(root cause analysis) and correct the system. This will lead to greater
legal compliance down the road.
3. communication: a good feedback mechanism between the above
two points which gives management the information they need(e.g.
during management review) to support the system effectively and gives
the compliance rep. the ammunition to get the job done.
4. targets and objectives: tying environmental effects to targets gives
a company (and the people who work there) something to work towards
and be proud of when they achieve their targets. This motivational tool is
totally lacking in traditional compliance management. It helps create
"champions" who will do a great deal of work on their own, without
cattle prodding from the EHS management.
In implementing EMS/ISO 14001 system at my company, I have found that
the tie between conformance and compliance is a very slippery slope,
but the key is in the root cause analysis. Where an EMS is more
effective in protecting the environment than traditional compliance (you
heard me right) is the strength of the corrective action element. By
handling non-compliance issues from a more fundamental level, a
company can actually realize a higher level of compliance than from
traditional compliance management.
My two cents:
Pauline Derbyshire
deatonp@svg.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 09:15:21 -0400
From: "Connie G. Ritzert"
Subject: ISO 14001 & Compliance
Pauline Derbyshire's comments on the relationship between conformance and compliance in an ISO 14001 EMS are perhaps the most rational I have seen in these postings. Her points are excellent - worth a second look!
Connie G. Ritzert critzert@fyi.net
Meredith-EMC environmental management consulting
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 16:54:49 -0400
From: Russ DeVilbiss
Subject: Environmental Policy and Framework
Question,
How are ISO 14001 companies writing their environmental policy to ensure that it "...provides the framework for setting and reviewing environmental objectives and targets"?
Russ DeVilbiss
ISO 14000/EMS Product Manager
ERAtech Environmental, Inc.
rdevilbiss@eratech.com
800.848.4990 x126
937.859.8998 x126
(f) 937.859.9132
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 01:41:34 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Bill Casti, CQA (System Administrator)"
Subject: BOUNCE iso14000@quality.org: Non-member submission from [j.maertens@fina.be] (fwd)
NOTE: Respond *both* to the poster's address (see below the dotted line)
and to the list's posting address, OR as directed in the posting, but
definitely NOT to me.
Thanks.
Bill
- ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 18 Jun 1997 07:59:12 -0400 (EDT)
From: j.maertens@fina.be
To: iso14000@quality.org
Subject: ISO 14000 processing department
Hi,
I work as a process engineer in the plant (oil refinery) processing
(this is NOT manufacturing or operations) department.
We do process improvements, troubleshooting and some research.
This includes sampling, process conditions monitoring and change proposals.
I have two requests:
1. I would like to prepare a ISO14000 procedure for our department
do control our activities impact on the plant environmental policy.
Could I get a copy of your processing department ISO 14000 procedure
(anonimous is possible) or at least some pitfalls and highlights
to consider.
2. Does this List have an archive where I can retrieve previous posted
messages? Where can I access them?
Thank you.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Johan Maertens - Proces Engineer - ** Murphy was an optimist ***
FINA RAFFINADERIJ ANTWERPEN Research & Development & Energy
Scheldelaan 16 - B-2030 ANTWERPEN - BELGIUM
Mail: Voice +32 35 455149 Fax +32 35 455131 Electronic: j.maertens@fina.be
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: 18 Jun 97 21:28:58 EDT
From: "Robert Clifford, Jr." <102163.345@CompuServe.COM>
Subject: Re: Environmental Policy and Framework
On 6/18/97, Russ wrote:
>How are ISO 14001 companies writing their environmental policy to ensure that
it "...provides the >framework for setting and reviewing environmental
objectives and targets"?
We're having clients, some of whom are SMEs attempting to develop an ISO "23000"
system (9000 + 14000), put together a plain-speak statement of their policy
towards quality and the environment. If its a heart-felt statement, that
reflects their core values, they'll be able to effectively use it to set
objectives. Obviously, we're attempting to avoid a contrived policy that fails
when called upon to face the stiffest test: the one where the registrar asks a
shop-floor employee to explain the policy in "his/her own words".
Small businesses don't have problem with policy - they're small enough to easily
share values.
Bob Clifford
ISO Environmental Consultancy Inc
Schenectady NY
clifford@quality.org
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 11:15:15 -0400
From: "DuPlessis, Tom"
Subject: FW: BOUNCE iso14000@quality.org: Non-member submission from [P auline Derbyshire ] (fwd)
A few corrections and a little elaboration regarding the following:
> re: request for airports and POTW registered to ISO 14001:
> I know of the following registrations:
> Asiana Airlines, Korea, 9/96
> Hereford city council, Herefordshire, UK, 6/95
> (may include POTW, but not certain)
> In addition, I know that two radioactive power plants have been
> registered recently: one in Savanna River, NC, USA, and one in France
> (I do not recall the names presently).
> Hope this info is of help.
>
The Savannah River Site is managed by the Westinghouse Savannah River
Company for the U. S. Department of Energy. It is located near Aiken,
South Carolina. They have begun the registration process but are not
yet registered.
Westinghouse manages another DOE site that is also seeking registration.
The DOE's Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, near Carlsbad, NM, will become a
deep geologic repository (disposal facility) for transuranic waste (a
specific type of radioactive waste). A registrar has been hired.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I've been very
involved in both efforts.
Tom DuPlessis
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
> ----------
> From: Bill Casti, CQA (System
> Administrator)[SMTP:help@quality.org]
> Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 1997 8:02 PM
> To: iso14000@quality.org
> Subject: BOUNCE iso14000@quality.org: Non-member submission
> from [Pauline Derbyshire ] (fwd)
>
>
> NOTE: Respond *both* to the poster's address (see below the dotted
> line)
> and to the list's posting address, OR as directed in the posting, but
> definitely NOT to me.
>
> Thanks.
> Bill
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Tue, 17 Jun 1997 12:47:12 -0400 (EDT)
> From: Pauline Derbyshire
> To: iso14000@cyberq.quality.org
> Subject: iso14000-digest V2 #5 -Reply
>
> re: request for airports and POTW registered to ISO 14001:
> I know of the following registrations:
> Asiana Airlines, Korea, 9/96
> Hereford city council, Herefordshire, UK, 6/95
> (may include POTW, but not certain)
> In addition, I know that two radioactive power plants have been
> registered recently: one in Savanna River, NC, USA, and one in France
> (I do not recall the names presently).
> Hope this info is of help.
>
>
> RE: compliance vs. conformance debate
> This is my take on the issue of "COMMITMENT TO CONFORMANCE":
> It may be practically impossible for any US company to be 100% in
> compliance at any one time, but hopefully, industry works hard to
> achieve this level, and is diligent in maintaining a consistent level
> of
> compliance.
>
> When implementing an EMS and/or certifying to ISO 14001, what an
> auditor (or management rep) should look for with regards to compliance
> is a SYSTEM that seeks out (in some fashion), investigates, and
> corrects
> non-compliance issues. A commitment to comply should have the
> following elements:
> 1. management responsibility: resources assigned to handle
> compliance - which includes responsibility for finding and correcting
> non-compliance; and cooperation and leadership from management
> 2. corrective and preventive action: an EFFECTIVE method that
> addresses issues of nonconformance to the EMS and noncompliance.
> It's a sure bet that if there is a history of non-compliance in one
> area,
> then there will be non-conformance to the EMS. Corrective and
> preventive action should seek out the EMS system non-conformance
> (root cause analysis) and correct the system. This will lead to
> greater
> legal compliance down the road.
> 3. communication: a good feedback mechanism between the above
> two points which gives management the information they need(e.g.
> during management review) to support the system effectively and gives
> the compliance rep. the ammunition to get the job done.
>
> 4. targets and objectives: tying environmental effects to targets
> gives
> a company (and the people who work there) something to work towards
> and be proud of when they achieve their targets. This motivational
> tool is
> totally lacking in traditional compliance management. It helps create
> "champions" who will do a great deal of work on their own, without
> cattle prodding from the EHS management.
>
> In implementing EMS/ISO 14001 system at my company, I have found that
> the tie between conformance and compliance is a very slippery slope,
> but the key is in the root cause analysis. Where an EMS is more
> effective in protecting the environment than traditional compliance
> (you
> heard me right) is the strength of the corrective action element. By
> handling non-compliance issues from a more fundamental level, a
> company can actually realize a higher level of compliance than from
> traditional compliance management.
>
> My two cents:
> Pauline Derbyshire
> deatonp@svg.com
>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 1997 16:23:31 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Bill Casti, CQA (System Administrator)"
Subject: BOUNCE iso14000@quality.org: Non-member submission from [Benchmark Environmental Consulting ] (fwd)
NOTE: Respond *both* to the poster's address (see below the dotted line)
and to the list's posting address, OR as directed in the posting, but
definitely NOT to me.
Thanks.
Bill
- ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 1997 08:15:52 -0400 (EDT)
To: iso14000@quality.org
From: Benchmark Environmental Consulting
Subject: re: ISO 14001 policy framework
>Date: Thu, 19 Jun 1997 10:06:43 -0400
>
>From: Benchmark Environmental Consulting
>Subject: re: ISO 14001 policy framework
>
>In response to Russ DeVilbiss:
>
>The policy framework under ISO 14001 is absolutely crucial as it is the
only public document; the EMS has to be structured to meet these objectives,
including voluntary obligations in and beyond the policy; and continual
improvement should be measured against these commitments.
>
>Benchmark routinely collects and evaluates policies among leading
companies. We hold the policies and reports for the global Fortune 100 and
many of the US Fortune 100; we are currently working on benchmark
evaluations of policies among firms in electronics and photographics
industries (US firms or firms based here).
>
>Do contact me if you want more information on this.
>
>Riva Krut
>President
>
Benchmark Environmental Consulting
470 Forest Ave, Suite 304
Portland, Maine 04101
email : benchmark@mindspring.com
tel: 207-775-9078 fax : 207-772-3539
WWW.mindspring.com/~benchmark
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 22:41:53 -0400
From: "MJ \"Mark\" Saarelainen"
Subject: The past issues of GSSNs and QSBNs
Hi,
I am in the process of putting some of my past issues of Global Strategic
Systems Newsletters and Quality Systems Newsletters onto the following web page:
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Park/1114/mjsus.htm
Please, visit this web page and view any of these past issues. All past
issues of these newsletters are not yet put there and I am in the process of
developing this web page further. So basically, the web page is still in
development.
Please, let me know, if you have any questions / comments.
My best regards,
Mark
- --------------------------------------
M J 'Mark' Saarelainen
P.O.Box 1672, Roswell, GA 30077, USA
Tel: USA-(770)-998-7855
FAX: USA-(770)-232-1425
Email: mjsus@ix.netcom.com
To subscribe to the complimentary newsletters,
Quality Systems Behavior Newsletter and Global
Strategic Systems Newsletter, please, send your
e-mail to mjsus@ix.netcom.com and write in the
subject line: "Subscription to Newsletter(s)" .
Visit also the following web site:
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Park/1114/mjsus.htm
DISCLAIMER:
No thought written in this message is a statement
of any organization by which I am employed or for
which I work.
- -------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 23 Jun 1997 21:50:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: "S. Wayne Rosenbaum"
Subject: ISO 14000 News and Views Volume 2 Number 12
ISO 14000 News and Views Volume 2 Number 12 is now available at:
http://www.lawinfo.com/law/ca/environmentallaw
This issues top stories include:
HEADLINE: MEETING ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS IS A
CHALLENGE FOR AFTA
Some of the great challenges for the economic integration of the American countries in the American Free-Trade Zone will be the reciprocal insertion of industrial parks and commercial trade worried with sustainable development. The growing environmental
pollution which has reached unbearable levels in various parts of the world, has brought about the world-wide approval of the environmental standards for production, the ISO 14000. New markets are emerging for companies dedicated to meeting standards. (DT
)
HEADLINE: US MULTI-STATE WORKING GROUP OFFERS DRAFT ISO 14001 EVALUATION MATRIX FOR COMMENT"
A draft evaluation matrix for a national system of ISO 14001 pilot projects is being offered for comment on a World Wide Web site by the Multi-State Working Group (MSWG) on Environmental Management Systems. The site address is: http://www.sunsite.unc.ed
u/villani/matrix.htm Deadline for comments is June 30. Comments will go to Ravila Gupta of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Health and Natural Resources for processing. Comments are invited from the business, government and public interes
t sectors and others interested in learning whether there are better ways to achieve "environmental, economic and compliance performance" using an ISO 14001 environmental management system. The matrix includes a framework for measuring results in the foll
owing categories: environmental performance; environmental conditions; environmental compliance; management framework; pollution prevention; costs and benefits, and stakeholder involvement. It is designed to be a nationally-c!
redible framework within which diverse state pilot projects can be conducted. The MSWG will finalize the matrix in July and then make it available to states and others who wish to use it voluntarily.
HEADLINE: UL'S ISO 14000 REGISTRATION PROGRAM RECEIVES
ANSI-RAB ACCREDITATION
Through its National Accreditation Program, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) recently granted Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) accreditation to perform ISO 14001 environmental management systemreg
istrations.
HEADLINE: SIRIM BERHAD TO ISSUE ISO CERTIFICATION IN
MALAYSIA
The Department of Standards Malaysia said Tuesday Sirim Berhad was the only certification body it had accredited to certify and issue International Standards Organisation (ISO) certificate in the country.
HEADLINE: US EPA MERIT-PARTNERHSIP SEEKS TO LINK PROFITS,
POLLUTION PREVENTION: PROJECTS AIM TO SEE IF
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OFFER FINANCIAL
BENEFITS
Pilot projects launched by the Merit Partnership for Pollution Prevention, a cooperative venture of public and private sectors, ultimately could result in significant economic benefits for businesses beyond insurance premium savings.
The purpose of Merit, launched by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco in 1993, is to develop and promote pollution prevention practices and technologies that protect the environment as well as contribute to economic growth.
One of the key elements involved is a market-oriented, voluntary approach to environmental cleanup known as ISO 14000, which to date has been more widely accepted in Europe than in the United States. ISO 14000 is a series of environmental standards iss
ued by the Geneva-based International Standards Organization (BI, Nov. 11, 1996).
HEADLINE: INDONESIAN ENVIRONMENTALIST LAMENTS
CAMPAIGNS
JAKARTA (JP): The country's three political parties came under fire yesterday from an environmentalist for failing to include environmental issues in theircampaign platforms.
HEADLINE: ISO ADVISORY GROUP STUDIES INTEGRATION OF ISO 9000 AND ISO 14000
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO; Geneva) is setting up a technical advisory group to study how to integrate the ISO 9000 quality and ISO 14000 environmental management standards. The group, ISO/TAG 12, is scheduled to hold its firs
t meeting on June 9 in Geneva.
HEADLINE: PHILIPPINE CEMENT FIRMS GUN FOR ISO 14000 MARK
Cement firms under the Philippine Cement Manufacturer's Corporation are interested in being ISO 14000 certified. The standard marks firms as implementing environmental management systems in their product standards. The firms - Bacnotan Cement Corp., North
ern Cement Corp., Republic Cement Corp., Continental Cement Corp., Rizal Cement Corp., Inc., FR Cement Corp., Solid Cement Corp., Titan Cement Manufacturing Corp., Hi Cement Corp., Fortune Cement Corp., Apo Cement Corp., Iligan Cement Corp., Mindanao Port
land Cement Corp., Alsons Cement Corp., Pacific Cement Co., Inc., Davao Union Cement Corp., Lloyd's Richfield Industrial Corp., Grand Cement Manufacturing Corp. and Limay Grinding Mill Corp. - are scheduled to undergo a series of seminars with ISO 14000 e
xperts and certifying bodies.
HEADLINE: CHINA COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE ENVIRONMENT
A NATIONAL supervisory committee on certification of environmental management systems in China was launched in Beijing yesterday.
Representatives from 33 departments, including the National Environmental Protection Agency (Nepa) and the State Bureau of Technical Supervision, comprise the commission.
The guiding body was set up to help enterprises rationally use natural resources, save energy, reduce the discharge of pollutants and improve environmental management, according to Xie Zhenhua, director of Nepa and head of the committee.
The committee's daily task is mainly to oversee the adoption of the International Standards Organization's ISO-14000, a set of international environmental standards, within China, according to Xie.
HEADLINE: TAIWAN ROC PRODUCTS MEETING ISO 14000 SHOWN
IN TAIPEI
A presentation of new products produced in line with international environmental management standards was held at the Science and Technology Building in downtownTaipei Wednesday.
The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) helped 20 domestic manufacturers reach the international standards. The Industrial Technology Research Institute's chemical industry institute co-sponsored the presentation.
Those accepting IDB assistance included companies in the dye and finishing, paper and pulp, auto, electric machinery, metal furniture and petrochemical industries.
The purpose for the assistance is to avoid the negative impact that not meeting the environmental protection standards imposed by the Geneva-based International Organization for Standardization (ISO) might have on export-oriented Taiwan products.
The ISO 14000 works mainly to encourage manufacturers to build suitable environmental management systems to prevent pollution.
HEADLINE: COPING WITH REALITY DOWNSIZING OF
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DEPARTMENTS
Environmental lawyers once rode a wave of rapid growth, but those times are over -- and they aren't coming back.
Has the flood saturated the market? Is environmental practice still the specialty niche it was developing into? Once, only those attorneys who represented environmentalists were considered environmental attorneys; can the moniker be used now by anyone
who arranges for an environmental impact report?
Counsel Connect, an online service for lawyers affiliated with The Connecticut Law Tribune, joined members earlier this year to discuss where the practice of environmental law stands today.
HEADLINE: CHILEAN GOVERNMENT ADOPTS ISO 14001
The Chilean government is preparing to put in place the International Standard Organisation's ISO 14000 series of voluntary standards on environmental management and auditing systems.
It also plans to accredit companies which have adopted the standards. The norms mainly concern the mining, fishing and forestry industries, which want to export to countries where these are compulsory.
HEADLINE: PT SURVEYOR INDONESIA STARTS ISO 14000
DIAGNOSIS
Batam, May 9 (ANTARA) -- PT Surveyor Indonesia in Batam has started to conduct an initial diagnosis for awarding ISO 14000 certificates to 10 companies in Batam, under its short-term program ending in December 1997.
"This is a crash program, and normally the program could be carried out for about 10 years," the company's general manager Dadang Yogaskara said in Batam Friday.
He said that to prepare 10 companies in Batam to receive ISO 14000 certificates in a period of six months would not be so easy, but he assured that his office would try hard to make the program a success.
HEADLINE: SWEDISH MINSITER CHAMPIONS GREEN
DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM
A message from the Swedish Minister for the Environment Anna Lindh Sweden and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam have enjoyed friendly relations and cooperation for many years. Sweden has strongly supported Vietnam's political independence and econo
mic development. Today, Vietnam has already passed through the first stages of extremely fast economic development. I note with satisfaction that the environment is now given higher priority in that process.
In recent years, environmental protection in Sweden has been oriented towards ecologically sustainable development. Resource management and recycling of materials have been given greater attention. Regulations on producer responsibility for products wh
en they are being used also have been introduced. Environmental aspects are integrated in policies and plans of both industrial and public players. A growing number of Swedish companies have joined environmental management schemes such as EMAS and ISO 140
00. A life-cycle perspective is adopted when initiating changes in production and consumption patterns. The Agenda 21 has resulted in a multitude of activities on the local level.
HEADLINE: INDONESIAN INDUSTRIES URGED TO ADOPT
ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY PRODUCTION PROGRAMS
Medan, May 1 (ANTARA) - Industrial companies in Indonesia should be able to implement environment- friendly production programs in line with the requirements stipulated in ISO-14000, a senior official said.
"It is now high time to implement a 'clean' production program in Indonesia as such a program can cut production cost, enhance product quality and productivity and minimise the generation of polluting wastes," Director General for Forest and Agricultu
ral Production Sujata said here Tuesday.
HEADLINE: SWISS GOVT PLEDGES $ 2.33M TO MEKONG RIVER
COMMISSION
SUPPORT totalling just over $ 2.33 million is being provided by Switzerland to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) for three projects. The introduction of an ISO 14000 Environmental Management System Model for a specific MRC environmental management syst
em, environmental performance evaluation as well as a model for MRC project-cycle assessment.
HEADLINE: INDIA 'INDUSTRY MUST ADOPT ECO-FRIENDLY
TECHNOLOGY'
It was time industry committed itself to adopting environment- friendly technology to help India in its quest for seven per cent growth rate per annum, as legislation alone could no longer check pollution and environmental degradation, the Union Enviro
nment Secretary, Mr. T. K. A. Nair, said here today.
Speaking at a seminar on "Environment management systems - the competitive advantage" organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Mr. Nair said "the captains of industry must clean up their act, since hundreds of industrial units h
ad no business to exist".
Mr. Vinay Kumar, president of the PHDCCI, urged the corporate sector to adopt environment management systems speedily, as the ISO 14000 series of environmental certification for industry could not be ignored any longer, especially for players in the g
lobal market.
Mr. John J. Mapes, an environment management expert from the United States, said over 130 companies in Japan and 60 companies in South Korea had obtained the ISO 14000 . The United States- Asia Environmental Partnership designs programmes and schemes
for assistance and development to industries for leveraging the incentives in the international market place for industrial environmental management.
HEADLINE: INDIA RANK TEAM TO PROVIDE TQM CONSULTANCY
RANK Team Consultants (I) Pvt. Ltd, engaged in project promotion and financial syndication, has taken up consultancy in total quality management (TQM) for organisations to help them get the ISO 14001 certification under the environment management syst
em.
The certification is modelled on the European Accreditation Council guidelines and the concept is yet to take off in developing countries. Rank Team first plans to create an awareness of its importance among industrial organisations and the people,
according to the Managing Director, Mr. Hari Prasad.
The company has a group of certified lead assessors to guide an organisation towards ISO certification. Organisations which have received the ISO 9000 certification can try for ISO 14000 by incorporating environmental quality management systems.
As policing the compliance of industry to environmental legislation had proved tough, voluntary implementation of the environmental management system according to ISO 14001 would ensure steady improvement in performance, Mr. Hari Prasad said.
HEADLINE: COCA-COLA FRANCISE IN JUNDIAI BRAZIL RECEIVES
ISO 14000 CERTIFICATE
The Panamco Spal factory in Jundiai, Sao Paulo state, the largest Coca- Cola franchisee in Brazil, will receive the ISO 14000 certificate at the end of the month, refering to investments made by the company to preserve the environment. According to th
e press advisor of Panamco Spal, which registered a turnover of $885 million in 1996, this will be the first industrial plant in Latin America to receive the certificate and the first of the Coca-Cola group in the world. The official announcement will b
e made on April 29.
The soft drinks manufacturer, with its headquarters in Sao Paulo state, is considered one of the most modern in the world and is the largest of the group in Latin America. Panamco Spal represents nearly 25% of the entire revenues of Coca-Cola Industria
s Ltda., acting as a supplier for the market of Greater Sao Paulo, Campinas (Sao Paulo) and the costal areas of the state. This year, investments of $66 million are expected in production, and the expectation is for 10% increase in 1997 over last year. (
BW)
HEADLINE: ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE IN SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION FILINGS.
Today, international capital markets are growing more quickly than ever, and the pace of environmental regulation in developed and developing countries is equally rapid. These developments have spurred renewed attention to the environmental disclosure
requirements faced by companies engaged in U.S. securities transactions. The following overview of the current status of U.S. environmental disclosure requirements for filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provides a brief introduction
to those issues.
To our knowledge, no private damage actions under Rule 10b-5 have been decided on the basis of a company's failure to disclose environmental contingencies. However, in view of the broad sweep of the reporting obligations noted above and many companies'
continuing exposure to environmental claims, remediation costs, and permit obligations, such decisions may be expected in the future, notwithstanding the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. (This act was intended to discourage frivolous sha
reholder claims.) It is therefore essential that companies comply with SEC disclosure obligations. By complying, they not only avoid agency enforcement proceedings but protect themselves against shareholder class actions alleging fraud for any failure to
disclose material environmental risks. Further, both the increased commitment of many corporations to voluntary environmental audits and the advent of the ISO 14000 series of environmental management standards make it likely t!
hat more companies will choose, for reasons of public acceptance, to include information about their environmental policies in Regulation S-K filings. This will, in turn, increase the likelihood of litigation over the accuracy of that information and emph
asize the need for companies to exercise care in complying with Regulation S-K as well as Rule 10b-5 with respect to environmental disclosure.
HEADLINE: ALPARGATAS WANTS TO INVEST R$ 100M TO
MODERNIZE FACTORIES IN BRAZIL
Alpargatas-Santista Textil S.A. intends to invest more than R$ 100 million between 1997 and 1999, principally in the modernization of its factories and the development of new products. "we want to maintain the market leadership, which is currently undergo
ing rapid change," said the president of the company, Herbert Schmidt, yesterday afternoon, during a meeting with analysts from the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange (Bovespa). The company holds 4% of the world market in denim and sailcloth and registered a consol
idated profit of R$ 557 million last year, with a net profit of R$ 15 million.
Alpargatas plans to complete the modernization of the spinning systems of Tatui, in Sao Paulo, and Tucuman, in Argentina; to increase the production capacity of three new products; to install a computerized production, order and delivery control system
; to begin the implantation of the ISO 9000 quality system in Aracaju, Sergipe state, Tucuman e Tatui; and to recertify the unit in Americana, Sao Paulo state, with the ISO 9000 and begin the implantation of the ISO 14000 in the same unit. (JF)
CLASSIFIEDS
I work as a process engineer in the plant (oil refinery) processing
Hello Safety and Environmental Experts:
I am an economics student at the University of Pisa (Italy). I am going to write a thesis about "how to combine safety, health and environmental mangement systems
The Ramsar Convention Bureau is seeking the assistance of a consultant with expertise in the area of preventing pollution and contamination of wetlands by heavy metalsJOB
ANNOUNCEMENT: FLUVIAL GEOMORPHOLOGIST
Is anybody interested in a piece of work involving evaluation of a North Jersey office building for environmental concerns
The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is seeking an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Management.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Registering Consulting Firms to ISO 14001
Airports and POTWs compliance vs. conformance debate
How are ISO 14001 companies writing their environmental policy to ensure that it "...provides the framework for setting and reviewing environmental objectives and targets"?
Pollution Prevention vs. Prevention of Pollution
ISO 14000 Working Group
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 19:59:23 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Bill Casti, CQA (System Administrator)"
Subject: BOUNCE iso14000@quality.org: Non-member submission from ["Chris E. Erker" ] (fwd)
NOTE: Respond *both* to the poster's address (see below the dotted line)
and to the list's posting address, OR as directed in the posting, but
definitely NOT to me.
Thanks.
Bill
- ---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 15:28:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Chris E. Erker"
To: iso14000@quality.org
Subject: environmental procedures manual
I am sprearheading an iso 14000-based environmental management
program for a medium/large construction company. I have drafted an
environmental policy manual and am now in the process of drafting and
integrating into our existing project procedures guide (iso 9000-based)
an environmental procedures manual.
Does anyone know where I can find examples/samples (not simply
guidence) of other company's environmental procedures guides (i.e., the
middle tier of ISO 14000 documents)?
Thank you! Sincerely, CEE@GREENSFELDER.COM
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End of iso14000-digest V2 #6
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