>> MIM Speaks
SETTING RULES FOR A GREENER ENVIRONMENT.
JULY 21, 1996 -
THE STAR
IT was only a few years ago that ISO 9000 quality management
systems were introduced to Malaysia. As it was common
knowledge then that the European Union countries had adopted
the ISO 9000 series as their quality standards, Malaysian
companies wasted no time in getting themselves certified under
ISO 9000 so as to have a competitive edge when bidding for a
job or a contract.
Up to date, more than 650 Malaysian firms have been certified
under ISO 9000 and many more are on the waiting list. The
popularity of the ISO 9000 series is also increasing all over
the world as the business community at large recognizes the
need to go global.
More recently, a new international standard has come into the
limelight both in Malaysia and the rest of the world. This is
the ISO 14000, which deals with the environmental management
system of an organisation.
This specification standard is still in its draft
international status form but later this year the
International Organisation for S tan dardisa t ion ( I S O)
will adopt the ISO 14001 as the international standard for
environment management systems. Also, ISO 14004 will be
adopted as the guiding standard for developing and continuing
environmental management systems. . The concept of protecting
the environment is not new. The detection of substantial air,
water and land pollution in the 1960s necessitated
environmental laws to be passed in various countries (such as
the United States and Sweden during the 1970s and 1980s).
An Environmental Quality Act was passed in Malaysia as early
as 1974 when it became evident that industrial processing of
rubber, extraction of palm oil and mining and timber
operations had already caused significant damage to the
environment. In the 1970s, companies began incorporating
environmental engineers and managers into their corporate
hierarchies.
Worldwide recognition of global pollution and hazardous waste
problems eventually led to the 1992 International Conference
on the Environment. It is not surprising, therefore, that
environmental policy legislations have recently received
priority in Malaysia and many other countries.
It was in 1991 that IS0 decided to form the Strategic Action
Group on the Environment (SAGE) to decide whether an
international environmental standard would accomplish; three
specific objectives:
ENCOURAGE a common approach to environmental management;
STRENGTHEN a company's ability to improve and measure its
environmental performance; and
REMOVE trade barriers and improve international trade. The
group's research and study showed that such a standard would
achieve these objectives, and The concept of the ISO 14000
series was born.
In 1992, the ISO formed Technical Committee (TC) 207 draft the
ISO 14000 series. Six international sub committees and one
working group make up this committee.
There is no ISO 14000 per se. The original ISO 14000 has now
become ISO 14004 and lSO 14000 has become the accepted term
for the series in its entirely.
In practice, IS0 14000 and ISO 14004 provide the framework:
the for mer specifies the minimum requirements for achieving
certification; and the latter sets the guidelines for
developing an environmental management system.
Other standards are being considered, including ISO
14011-14015 for environmental auditing, ISO 1402014024 for
environmental labelling, ISO 14031 for environmental
performance evaluation, ISO 14041-14044 for life-cycle
analysis, and ISO 14060 for environmental aspects of product
standards.
Our immediate attention should be on ISO 14001 and 14004, as
these will be the first to be adopted. ISO 14001 is the
specification standard setting the minimum and basic
provisions for an effective environmental management system.
It will be used mainly for third-party certification.
ISO 14004 provides guidelines only, giving examples and
descriptions for designing and implementing environmental
management systems and principles.
ISO 14000 is still new and not as well-known in Malaysia as
the ISO 9000 series for quality management systems. It is,
however, a matter of time before Malaysian companies realise
that their customers, especially overseas customers, will
demand that certification under ISO 14000 is a requirement for
an export contract.
It is expected that customers would be prepared to pay a
premium for a product that has been produced in an
environment-friendly manner and this would motivate many
companies to implement ISO 1400d in their operations.
The rapid industrialisation in Malaysia brings with it many
side-effects such as toxic waste, air and water pollution,
urbanisation and loss of biodiversity. controlled these need
to be checked . and controlled and the government should
consider effective steps such as taxes and other incentives
which are directed to help minimise waste conserve energy,
increase recycling and utilise cleaner technologies.
With the implementation Of lSO 14000 it is expected that many
companies and their employees will adopt a proactive stance
towards protecting the enviroment.
The ISO 14001 would certainly contribute to greener
environment especially so in regard to the pollution caused by
industries and commerce.
But,if we really want our world to be green, every citizen on
earth must change and be committed to contribute his share to
protect the environment. If that really happens, we do not
need ISO 14001, do we?
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