Critical assessment of the ISO 14001 norm

Résumé du document

ISO 14001 certification provides assurance to stakeholders that the certified organization is controlling environmental risk, has good compliance with environmental laws and regulations and provokes meaningful improvement in environmental performance.

Extraits

[...] Airbus ISO 14001 accreditation Airbus uses a robust environmental management system Continually monitor and minimize the environmental impact of Airbus production processes and products throughout their life cycle This forms part of a Europe wide programme called LIFE Airbus ISO 14001 accreditation Louis Gallois, Airbus President and CEO reaction: "Becoming the only aerospace company in the world to be awarded ISO 14001 certification for our products and sites is a testament to Airbus' commitment to the environmental concerns of today. The adoption of environmental considerations in all our decision making is vital to ensure the sustainable development of our business" Ok! But concretely? On the production side: use of a greener chemical free milling process for fuselage panels byproduct 100% recyclable (product not desirable) new greener and cleaner painting processes are also being developed minimize energy minimize water improved selective-waste sorting which allows 100 per cent recycling Ok! [...]

[...] Costa Rica Production plants (bananas): pollution accidents & political pressures on government so as to reduce regulations on pesticides DOLE - Impacts on the environment 2003: Ground water pollution with fungicide Reached a river, fish and other species contaminated + coral reef contamination Flora contamination (rainforest) Story repeated itself in 2005, even though DOLE had to pay €100,000 to clean up and repopulate the river after the first contamination ISO 14001 in developing countries As the norm does not include specifications, the firms in developing countries could rely on this norm even if their environmental management is not realistic Confidence of the government in the norm doesn't rely on real figures Only a possibility for them to enter in a new market or to continue their operations in the same markets, with other ISO14001 firms ISO 14001 in developed countries However, it is noticed that the norm is for the moment wide spread in developed countries Two major factors: cost savings from efficiency gains, competitive trade advantages Loss of the main aim: environmental objectives Critics about ISO No exigency regarding performance level No specific criteria in terms of environmental performance Flexibility No precise dispositions to follow the responsibility chain Consumers are not able to choose between certified and non-certified products Certification's benefits Image Dialogue tool Cost management tool Collaborators mobilization tool Company's mutation Public opinion Pressure from legislative dispositions regarding the environment Cost management: high wasting costs, risks and insurance management Anticipation of expectations Competition Environment safeguarding Improvement of the quality of life Public transparency Brand image Legitimacy Company's ability to produce goods and services virtuous» regarding the amelioration of citizens' framework Standard's guaranty through international norm= common knowledge Certification = performances' valorisation Reality No more only to increase environmental performance Key factors: economic factors, such as pressure done by supply chain, marketing advantages, outlets of export Critics about ISO Does not mention sustainable development Results are not communicated outside the company Main benefits of the certification: Increase in competitiveness Improvement of the company's image what about the environnement ISO means the company is complying to the laws, but it does not mean the company is paying real effort to protect the environment. company is still polluting, but just enough to avoid troubles with governments. Recommandations How to use ISO 14001 as a management tool? How to integrate it in management of main processes? [...]

[...] Costa Rica Production plants (bananas): pollution accidents & political pressures on government so as to reduce regulations on pesticides DOLE - Impacts on the environment 2003: Ground water pollution with fungicide Reached a river, fish and other species contaminated + coral reef contamination Flora contamination (rainforest) Story repeated itself in 2005, even though DOLE had to pay €100,000 to clean up and repopulate the river after the first contamination ISO 14001 in developing countries As the norm does not include specifications, the firms in developing countries could rely on this norm even if their environmental management is not realistic Confidence of the government in the norm doesn't rely on real figures Only a possibility for them to enter in a new market or to continue their operations in the same markets, with other ISO14001 firms ISO 14001 in developed countries However, it is noticed that the norm is for the moment wide spread in developed countries Two major factors: cost savings from efficiency gains, competitive trade advantages Loss of the main aim: environmental objectives Critics about ISO No exigency regarding performance level No specific criteria in terms of environmental performance Flexibility No precise dispositions to follow the responsibility chain Consumers are not able to choose between certified and non-certified products Certification's benefits Image Dialogue tool Cost management tool Collaborators mobilization tool Company's mutation Public opinion Pressure from legislative dispositions regarding the environment Cost management: high wasting costs, risks and insurance management Anticipation of expectations Competition Environment safeguarding Improvement of the quality of life Public transparency Brand image Legitimacy Company's ability to produce goods and services virtuous» regarding the improvement of citizens' framework Standard's guaranty through international norm = common knowledge Certification = performances' valorization Reality No more only to increase environmental performance Key factors: economic factors, such as pressure done by supply chain, marketing advantages, outlets of export Critics about ISO Does not mention sustainable development Results are not communicated outside the company Main benefits of the certification: Increase in competitiveness Improvement of the company's image What about the environment?? ISO means that the company is complying to the laws, but it does not really mean the company is paying real efforts to protect the environment Company is still polluting within a limit to avoid troubles with governments Recommandations How to use ISO 14001 as a management tool? How to integrate it in management of main processes? [...]

[...] Costa Rica Production plants (bananas): pollution accidents & political pressures on government so as to reduce regulations on pesticides DOLE - Impacts on the environment 2003: Ground water pollution with fungicide Reached a river, fish and other species contaminated + coral reef contamination Flora contamination (rainforest) Story repeated itself in 2005, even though DOLE had to pay €100,000 to clean up and repopulate the river after the first contamination ISO 14001 in developing countries As the norm does not include specifications, the firms in developing countries could rely on this norm even if their environmental management is not realistic Confidence of the government in the norm doesn't rely on real figures Only a possibility for them to enter in a new market or to continue their operations in the same markets, with other ISO14001 firms ISO 14001 in developed countries However, it is noticed that the norm is for the moment wide spread in developed countries Two major factors: cost savings from efficiency gains, competitive trade advantages Loss of the main aim: environmental objectives Critics about ISO No exigency regarding performance level No specific criteria in terms of environmental performance Flexibility No precise dispositions to follow the responsibility chain Consumers are not able to choose between certified and non-certified products Certification's benefits Image Dialogue tool Cost management tool Collaborators mobilization tool Company's mutation Public opinion Pressure from legislative dispositions regarding the environment Cost management: high wasting costs, risks and insurance management Anticipation of expectations Competition Environment safeguarding Improvement of the quality of life Public transparency Brand image Legitimacy Company's ability to produce goods and services virtuous» regarding the improvement of citizens' framework Standard's guaranty through international norm = common knowledge Certification = performances' valorization Reality No more only to increase environmental performance Key factors: economic factors, such as pressure done by supply chain, marketing advantages, outlets of export Critics about ISO Does not mention sustainable development Results are not communicated outside the company Main benefits of the certification: Increase in competitiveness Improvement of the company's image What about the environment??? ISO means that the company is complying to the laws, but it does not really mean the company is paying real efforts to protect the environment Company is still polluting within a limit to avoid troubles with governments Recommandations How to use ISO 14001 as a management tool? How to integrate it in management of main processes? How to obtain environmental improvements for clients and stakeholders? [...]

[...] ISO 14001 is the standard against which organizations are assessed. ISO 14001 is generic and flexible enough to apply to any organization producing any product or service anywhere in the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/ Definition ISO 14001 is an internationally accepted specification for an environmental management system. It specifies requirements for establishing an environmental policy, determining environmental aspects and impacts of products/activities/services, planning environmental objectives and measurable targets, implementation and operation of programs to meet objectives and targets, checking and corrective action, and management review http://en.wikipedia.org/ Airbus ISO 14001 accreditation 15th of January 2007 (realized in December 2006 Det Norske Veritas) 1st airline company and the only one being accredited 16 production sites (inc. [...]