Environmental certification is an effective tool for managing the environmental impact of companies, leveraging their competitive capabilities and ensuring their compliance with environmental principles. A growing number of countries across the world are adopting this practice and the growth of new environmental standards – with different scopes, aims and roles – calls for a clear and updated systematization of the issue. This book provides a comprehensive, up-to-date overview of the different environmental certification tools. As well as examining practical methods of implementing the standards for each type of certification, the book discusses their added value from a corporate management perspective. In identifying the most important requirements and standards for the issuing of environmental certification of both products and processes, the book demonstrates how companies can use operational methods to develop an environmental management system or a product certification in practice. Balancing a complete theoretical presentation of the issue with an operational perspective, the book supports the adoption and implementation of environmental certification tools. It will be a valuable resource for professionals as well as students and scholars of environmental management, sustainable business and corporate social responsibility.

The do-it-yourself manual, with steps to success and simple explanatory notes, designed for real companies. ISO 14001 Environmental Certification Step by Step has been written with smaller companies especially in mind. Dr. A.J. Edwards explains how to achieve the ISO 14001 standard. Together, these provide a quick and straightforward guide to achieving the requirements of ISO 14001 Environmental Certification. This revised edition has been updated to cover the latest developments in the interpretation of the standard, plus changes in related legislation, such as the EU's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), Control of Pollution regulations, Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations, Landfill charges, Pollution Prevention and Control, and Asbestos Regulations. In addition, the new ISO 19011:2002 standard for auditing is reflected in the book, as are approaches to phased introduction of ISO 14001. Many organisations working towards ISO 14001 already possess ISO 9000 registration, or choose to achieve ISO 14001 and ISO 9000 simultaneously as an integrated system.To prevent duplication, ISO 14001 Environmental Certification Step by Step includes cross-referencing of ISO 14001 requirements to the relevant procedures in the Quality System. - A do-it-yourself manual, with steps to success and simple explanatory notes - Revised and updated to cover developments in the interpretation of the standard, changes in related legislation, such as the EU's Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), new standards and standards

Consumption of goods and services represents a growing share of global economic activity. In the United States, consumption accounts for more than two-thirds of gross domestic product. This trend of increasing consumption has brought with it negative consequences for the environment and human well-being. Global demand for energy, food, and all manner of goods is on the rise, putting strains on the natural and human capital required to produce them. Extractive industries and production processes are prominent causes of species endangerment. Modern economies are underpinned by substantial energy consumption, a primary contributor to the current climate crisis. Expanding international trade has led to many economic opportunities, but has also contributed to unfair labor practices and wealth disparities. While certain processes have improved or become more efficient, and certain practices have been outlawed or amended, the sheer scale of global consumption and its attendant impacts continue to be major challenges we face in the transition to sustainability. Third-party certification systems have emerged over the last 15 years as a tool with some promise. There has been anecdotal evidence of success, but to date the overall impact of certified goods and services has been small. Moreover, definitions of sustainable vary across sectors and markets, and rigorous assessments of these programs have been few and far between. In order to take a step in learning from this field of practice, the National Academies' Science and Technology for Sustainability Program held a workshop to illuminate the decision making process of those who purchase and produce certified goods and services. It was also intended to help clarify the scope and limitations of the scientific knowledge that might contribute to the economic success of certified products. The workshop, summarized in this volume, involved presentations and discussions with approximately 40 invited experts from academia, business, government, and nongovernmental organizations.

This publication is a summary of the presentations and discussions that took place during the meeting on "Voluntary Standards and Certification for Responsible Agricultural Production and Trade" organized by FAO in April 2004. It presents the situation of the main import markets for certified products and the evolution of demand. Case studies aimed at comparing sustainable farming methods with conventional methods are presented. These comparisons focus on production cost, yield, price premium and net profit. The difficulties with which the producers are confronted are analysed and possible solutions to overcome them are explored. The publication also discusses the roles of nongovernmental organizations, private stakeholders and other institutions involved in sustainable agriculture and explores ossibilities for greater collaboration among them.

Workplace safety and environmental sustainability can be promoted by agreed standards, certification and labelling. This publication contains 22 case studies on the impact of standards and certification programmes for cash crops in developing countries, including organic agriculture, fair-trade labelling, "Social Accountability 8000", the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Programme, the Ethical Trading Initiative, ISO-14001 and EurepGap. It examines the origins, scope and certification systems of these initiatives, as well as stakeholder involvement, the standard-setting process, verification methods, the relationship with the World Trade Organization agreements and the potential role of governments.

Sustainability applies to everybody. But everybody applies it differently, by defining and shaping it differently—much as water is edged and shaped by its container. It is conceived in absolute terms but underpinned by a great diversity of relatively “green”—and sometimes contradictory—practices that can each make society only more or less sustainable. In Practicing Sustainability, chefs, poets, music directors, evangelical pastors, skyscraper architects, artists, filmmakers, as well as scientific leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, business executives, policy makers, and the contrarians, shed light on our understanding of sustainability and the role that each of us can play. Each contributor addresses what sustainability means, what is most appealing about the concept, and what they would like to change to improve the perception and practice of sustainability. What emerges from their essays is a wide spectrum of views that confirm an important insight: Sustainability is pursued in different ways not only due to different interpretations, but also because of varying incentives, trade-offs, and altruistic motives. Practicing and achieving sustainability starts with a willingness to look critically at the concept. It also means enabling rich and vigorous discussion based on pragmatism and common sense to determine a framework for best ideas and practices. With time and the much needed critical thinking, sustainable development will become a more integral part of our culture. By sharing experiences and crisp insights from today’s savants, Practicing Sustainability serves as a stepping stone to the future.

The EcoRange project provides marketing information and strategies for environment-friendly food and fibre products, describes and contrasts a range of market-oriented environmental management and assurance standards that could be used on farms, and makes recommendations on the application of these to agricultural production. Recommendations were based on the views and expectations of the main stakeholders along the supply chain, agricultural industry organisations, and a number of community interest groups. The outputs of this project, contained in the research reports listed on page v, are: 1. A domestic marketing strategy for environment-friendly food and fibre products. 2. An international market analysis, outlining market potential and the requirements of target markets for environment-friendly food and fibre products. 3. The outcomes, principles and broad practices for environmental certification of pastoral products. 4. The identification of a suitable existing certification scheme or an environmental management module that can be added to existing schemes.

ISO 14001 Environmental Systems Handbook Second Edition outlines the scope and purpose of the standard, making it accessible to all. The author begins by explaining the concepts of the standard, which sets the tone for a practical guide to implementation of an ISO 14000-compliant environmental management system, which also covers the consultant's and auditor's perspective. The case studies from industries that have actually undergone the process have been updated to include information on their progress toward environmental objectives in the 18-24 months following implementation. A new case study from a service organisation ( a car lease company) will be added. Finally there is input from training organisations and certification and accreditation bodies to assist with trouble-shooting and assessment. Additional information is also included on international legislative issues. Comparisons with ISO 9000 will also be fully updated to reflect revisions to this standard. The book will offer the reader a range of options for implementation, and guidance on which is the best option to suit the particular organisation's culture.

This volume compiles the complete texts of the environmental policies from some of the world's leading corporations. The policy statements form the backbone of the corporation's interaction with its employees, customers and regulatory agencies, and is often a required first step of participation with environmental business standards. Each entry includes brief contact and line-of-business information, as well as information about the corporation's participation with legislation and industry environmental standard.

As the global marketplace imposes increasing demands on companies to minimize the environmental impact of their products, it is becoming of utmost importance that organizations integrate a sound environmental management system (EMS) into their overall business structure. Crucial to this initiative is ISO 14000, regarded as the most far-reaching series of quality management standards released to date. In the ISO 14000 Answer Book, three experts in the field explain and clarify the numerous intricacies and unique requirements of ISO 14000 by providing quick and reliable answers to commonly asked questions. Intended to organize and restructure a company's environmental systems to foster continuous improvement, ISO 14000 offers various benefits —reduced regulatory oversight, increased management efficiencies, easing of command and control requirements —to organizations that comply with its guidelines. Though compliance and subsequent certification are not mandatory, lack of certification can mean the potential loss of market share —both here and abroad —to corporations that have embraced the new management standards. Written and structured to help you understand the implications of ISO 14000 international environmental management standards on your business, this concise and user-friendly reference addresses 250 crucial questions about ISO 14000 and ISO 14001, a specific standard in the series. With clear, concise explanations, you'll find details on: Planning your environmental management system —drawing up an implementation plan, determining your company's "environmental aspects," identifying legal requirements Implementing an EMS under ISO 14001 —early considerations, the role of top manage-ment, developing an environmental policy, evaluating your EMS EMS audits —objectives, audit policy and audit privilege, auditing and the ISO 14001 certification process Standards for evaluating environmental performance —selecting indicators, collecting the necessary data, reporting and communicating your EPE information Going through the certification process —deciding when to seek certification, selecting a registrar, certifying your company's EMS Cross-referenced and packed with "capsule answers" for quick access, the ISO 14000 Answer Book has the information and guidance you need to get up to speed fast on this all-important series of environmental management standards. ". . . an excellent tool for professionals to gain insight into ISO 14000." —Susan Malette, Quality Manager, Digital Equipment Corporation. "Slowly we've learned that no one can afford to treat environmental protection as a spectator sport. This book gives top corporate managers the critical information they need to make environmental protection part of their everyday operations." —Doug Costle, Former Head, US EPA. ". . . a valuable mechanism to understand the implications of specific aspects of ISO 14001 and make informed decisions." —J. Eldon Rucker, Deputy Director, American Petroleum Institute "This book is being used by a wide variety of organizations wishing to learn more about ISO 14000 standards and their potential use worldwide." — Amy Schaffer, American Forest & Paper Association. "The ISO 14000 Answer Book is a must for environmental and business managers seeking to improve environmental performance and gain a competitive advantage." — Paul T. Robbertz; Manager; Environmental, Health, Safety and Regulatory Services; Hampshire Chemical Corporation. "Business leaders who want to improve their environmental stewardship and corporate citizenship will find the ISO 14000 Answer Book a valuable reference." — Andrew E. Lietz, President and CEO, Hadco Corporation.