CalMac achieves Environmental accreditation

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CalMac achieves Environmental accreditation
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30 March 2006

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne has had its commitment to the environment and good working practices recognised by being accredited to the internationally recognised Environment Managements System (EMS) standard, ISO 14001.
The Company has been awarded ISO 14001 accreditation by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance for minimising environmental risks, meeting legislation requirements and demonstrating corporate governance through the implementation of an effective Environmental Management System. This is a considerable achievement for the Company.
Bill Robertson, CalMac’s Safety, Environmental and Security Manager said: "Environmental issues have gained a high profile over the past few years. Concern for the environment and awareness of the need to improve management of finite resources and reduce waste is very much on the increase. Now, very often, a company is judged as much on its environmental performance as on its operational service to its customers. The issues have found their way into the boardroom, the national and international political agenda and the homes and lives of consumers. This all creates additional pressures on a business to demonstrate a commitment to minimising its impact on the environment. In addition, with even more legislation directed at controlling the environmental impact of a company’s activities, it is easy for a company to fall foul of regulatory bodies."
One of the most effective ways to minimise environmental risks, meet legislative requirements and demonstrate corporate governance, is through the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS) such as ISO 14000, the generic name given to the family of standards around which an EMS can be implemented.
Speaking in Stornoway, where he confimred the award of the certification at a meeting of the CalMac Board of Directors, Managing Director Lawrie Sinclair said: "The benefits associated with a certified ISO 14001 management system include compliance with legislative and other requirements by providing a systematic approach for meeting current and identifying future legislation. It also helps company like calMac demonstrate conformance and that we are fulfilling policy commitments and making continual improvement against specific targets to meet overall objectives. Perhaps most importantly at this challenging time for all of us in calMac, certification gives us a competitive edge over non-certified businesses when invited to tender."
The ISO Standard development committee TC 207 started to develop the ISO 14000 series including ISO 14001 in 1994 and this was published in September 1996. The standard was revised in 2004 to become ISO 14001:2004.An effective EMS certified to ISO 14001 can help an organisation operate in a more cost efficient and environmentally responsible manner by managing its impacts, including those which it can control and influence while also complying with relevant environmental legislation and its own environmental policy.
In preparing for the independent assesment process for ISO 14001, CalMac had to demonstrate improved management of environmental risk throughout its operation. CalMac has now been accredited with ISO 9001 and the ISM Code, along with ISO 14001.
ends

Background note:
ISO 14000 is the generic name given to the family of standards around which an EMS can be implemented. The ISO Standard development committee TC 207 started to develop the ISO 14000 series including ISO 14001 in 1994 and this was published in September 1996.
Since its publication, ISO 14001 has been adopted by over 36,000 organisations, both large and small in 86 countries. Development of the standard started in 1994 and it was first published in 1996. The standard was revised in 2004 to become ISO 14001:2004.
For further information on the contents of this News Release, please contact Hugh Dan MacLennan, Head of Communication and Customer Care, Caledonian MacBrayne. Tel: 0776 435 4021; e-mail hugh.maclennan@calmac.co.uk.

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Caledonian MacBrayne and CalMac are trading names of CalMac Ferries Limited (SC302282)