BENEFITS OF ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION FAR OUTWEIGH INITIAL CHALLENGES (DEMO)
Michael Lewis reports in thomasnet.com that while many North American companies are still getting ISO 14001 certified, their numbers are lagging behind their Asian and European counterparts:
Take a look at the 2010 ISO survey of companies who have added ISO 14001 in the past 17 years and a few numbers jump out:
![Companies Increasingly Go Green, but ISO 14001 Certification Lags in U.S.]()
The slower rate of increase among North American companies that are getting ISO-certified is attributed to the economic slowdown that hit the USA in 2007 and 2008, which had a negative impact on the profitability of the manufacturing sector. Another factor cited is the bureaucracy within companies that leads to confusion about who should monitor ISO 14001 programs. Many companies also fear that when the program moves to “compliance” from its current “conformance” standard, it would be more difficult to acquire the certification, and even more difficult to maintain it.
However, industry insiders are in agreement that ISO 14001 certifications remain important in any industry. As Lewis’ report indicates, major corporations like Toyota, 3M, and Ford work only with companies who are ISO 14001 certified. In addition, the certification is one of the ways a business can express its commitment to environmental sustainability practices.
A relevant ISO certification, such as the ISO 14001, lends considerable credibility to a company by giving it a better public profile and boosting morale within its ranks. Studies have also shown that compliance to ISO 14001 standards can be financially rewarding, as greener practices often lead to substantial energy savings and overall cost efficiency. Achieving ISO 14001 standards can be challenging, but through the support and expert guidance of a trusted certification body like International Standards Authority, a business can be geared to meet and maintain these standards—especially when the compliance phase goes into effect.
(From Companies Increasingly Go Green, but ISO 14001 Certification Lags in U.S., thomasnet.com, May 1, 2013)
- In 1993 46,571 companies worldwide had ISO 14001 certification; in 2010 it was more than 1 million.
- In 1993 Europe had 37,000 companies that were 14001 certified; in 2010 it was 530,000.
- In Asia in 1993, 1,583 companies were 14001 certified; in 2010 it was 428,755
- In 1993 North American companies accounted for 2,613 ISO 14001 certifications, and in 2010 that number rose to 36,632
- So while North American companies are still looking to get certified, they’re doing it in much smaller numbers, percentage-wise, than the rest of the world.
The slower rate of increase among North American companies that are getting ISO-certified is attributed to the economic slowdown that hit the USA in 2007 and 2008, which had a negative impact on the profitability of the manufacturing sector. Another factor cited is the bureaucracy within companies that leads to confusion about who should monitor ISO 14001 programs. Many companies also fear that when the program moves to “compliance” from its current “conformance” standard, it would be more difficult to acquire the certification, and even more difficult to maintain it.
However, industry insiders are in agreement that ISO 14001 certifications remain important in any industry. As Lewis’ report indicates, major corporations like Toyota, 3M, and Ford work only with companies who are ISO 14001 certified. In addition, the certification is one of the ways a business can express its commitment to environmental sustainability practices.
A relevant ISO certification, such as the ISO 14001, lends considerable credibility to a company by giving it a better public profile and boosting morale within its ranks. Studies have also shown that compliance to ISO 14001 standards can be financially rewarding, as greener practices often lead to substantial energy savings and overall cost efficiency. Achieving ISO 14001 standards can be challenging, but through the support and expert guidance of a trusted certification body like International Standards Authority, a business can be geared to meet and maintain these standards—especially when the compliance phase goes into effect.
(From Companies Increasingly Go Green, but ISO 14001 Certification Lags in U.S., thomasnet.com, May 1, 2013)