The Benefits of Purchasing from an ISO 14001 Certified Manufacturer

With growing concern about the environment, many people are now considering their ecological impact in many areas of their lives. Whether it is turning off lights in empty rooms, taking the bus instead of driving, or doing their washing at a lower temperature, more people than ever are taking action to prevent further environmental degradation and damage. And as well as changing our behaviour as individuals, members of the public are increasingly expecting, and demanding, environmentally responsible behaviours and practices from the businesses they buy from or work with.

This is also replicated on a corporate level. As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility policies, many local councils and commercial organisations will now only employ the use of contractors who fulfil certain criteria with respect to their ecological impact. Additionally, some supply chains require ISO 14001 certification, part of the European Union‘s Eco-Management and Audit Scheme, at every stage of the chain of supply. This has led to a formalisation of international standards that manufacturers can sign up to which demonstrates that they are implementing responsible practices within the parts of their business which have a significant environmental impact.

Improved Environmental Performance

The ISO 14001 standards are adopted by organisations that want to identify their environmental objectives, set improvement targets and put into action a programme which will improve their environmental performance. Those certified to this standard must also display an awareness of their legal responsibilities and any relevant industry regulations that apply.

The great news for environmentally-aware consumers or companies looking to make a purchase is that, by identifying which manufacturers are ISO 14001 compliant, you can easily spot which ones meet internationally recognised environmental management standards, and invest your money in businesses which have a reduced ecological impact as opposed to those taking no action to reduce their carbon footprint.

Benefits to Customers

There are further benefits to customers who choose to only buy from ISO 14001 manufacturers: the reduction in waste, the reduced energy consumption and water usage, the potential to receive subsidies based on good environmental performance, and the streamlining of manufacturing processes that are incorporated into the certification also very often mean that compliant manufacturers can offer more competitive pricing. The processes involved in achieving ISO 14001 also make it much less likely that companies will receive fines for improper environmental conduct, saving the manufacturer yet more money – more savings that can be passed onto you, the consumer.

Whether you are an individual consumer, a buyer for a large corporation or putting out a tender on behalf of a local authority, choosing to buy only from certified ISO 14001 manufacturers is a responsible move. It sets an example which can encourage others to invest in environmentally-aware businesses and it avoids giving money to disreputable businesses which are less accountable and do not have policies and procedures in place to limit their negative environmental impact. Knowing that ISO 14001 certification takes into account every stage of the supply chain can reassure buyers that their money will be invested in ways which limit damage and promote good practice and responsible action.