SKF achieves global environmental approval

Citation

(1999), "SKF achieves global environmental approval", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771cab.031

SKF achieves global environmental approval

SKF achieves global environmental approval

Keywords Environment, ISO 14001, SKF

Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance Limited (LRQA), the international certification body for management systems, has approved Swedish company SKF to ISO 14001, the international standard for environmental management systems. SKF has plants in 23 countries. All sites operate in accordance with a centrally administered common environmental management system. However, it was not until all the relevant sites had undergone assessment that SKF achieved the global approval.

ISO 14001 is a response to growing legislation and worldwide government and public pressure for environmental control. An environmental management system (EMS) helps a company manage its activities and processes to ensure compliance with its environmental policy commitments. It also addresses the needs of a wide range of interested parties and responds to the evolving needs of society for environmental protection. One of the cornerstones in a system certified to ISO 14001 is for the company to demonstrate continual improvement in the way its activities and processes impact on the environment.

Companies with ISO 14001 certification are seeing operational benefits. These include: direct financial savings, such as reducing energy consumption, minimising waste and using materials more efficiently. There are also indirect benefits such as meeting supplier demands for EMS.

Mike Abbott, group manager environmental affairs, comments: "SKF has developed an EMS conforming to ISO 14001 which is suitable for all our manufacturing units; whether they make bearings, seals, steel or other related products. The international standard ISO 14001 was formally issued in September 1996 and we decided later that year to aim for certification of all manufacturing units to this standard. SKF is concerned about the environment and ISO 14001 is an example to customers of our dedication to quality issues. We are proud to achieve this global approval to ISO 14001. However, this was only possible with commitment and hard work from SKF and the quality of service provided by LRQA."