ISO 14001 Certification to Confirm USA’s Environmental Excellence

USA has embarked on an effort to gain globally recognized certification for its efforts in protecting the environment. Similar to the ISO 9001 certification for its quality management system and Volunteer Protection Program (VPP) in safety, the ISO 14001 standard will certify USA’s processes for managing the ecological aspects of the business and is further confirmation of the company’s commitment to environmental protection.

“Being good stewards of the environment at all our locations is a part of our responsibilities,” said Mark Green, Director of USA Environmental Safety and Health (E&SH). “Additionally, USA begins to broaden its business base and compete for future contracts; ISO 14001 certification is a fundamental requirement to be competitive. This recognition will also validate what we already know – that we have an excellent environmental program and a proven record of safeguarding the environment.”

ISO 14001 measures the soundness of an environmental management system. It provides a framework for accountability and responsibility with goals of continuous improvement and minimizing the harmful effects on the environment caused by work activities.

“Much of what we do in the space business will benefit future generations,” Green said. “ISO 14001 certification will underscore that our current processes are environmentally sound.”

Gene Harm of Environmental Management for Florida Operations agrees that leaving our surroundings in great shape for future generations is a priority.

“Safeguarding our fragile environment is a priority for all of us at USA,” said Harm, USA’s ISO 14001 Florida Project Lead. “Our partnerships with our customers, clients and the local communities are key components of ensuring a sound environmental management system.

“USA’s operations in Florida are unique in that we work in and around a protected wildlife refuge,” Harm said. “This places a special obligation on us to ensure our processes operate with minimal impact to the environment.”

The first audit of USA’s environmental management system, scheduled to begin the last week of January 2007, will be internal to ensure that all policies, procedures and practices are compliant with the ISO standards.

“Mangers have been provided with a general awareness training package highlighting key components of the ISO 14001 standard and how it relates to USA’s operations,” said David Teixeira of USA ES&H in Texas. “We want everyone to understand our environmental policy and how our programs have continually improved over the years.”

That internal effort will confirm USA is ready for the formal external audit. The formal review will begin in the spring.

“DNV (Det Norske Veritas), who has also provided USA with independent audits for our existing ISO 9001 and AS 9100 certifications, will be conducting the ISO 14001 audit concurrently with the scheduled review of our ISO 9001 certification beginning the last week of April 2007,” Teixeira said.

Based in Norway, Det Norske Veritas is an independent foundation with the objective of safeguarding life, property and the environment. Their primary work has been to assist organizations in identifying, assessing and advising on how to manage risk.

In addition to reviewing USA’s policies and actions, DNV will interview randomly selected employees to test their knowledge of company environmental policies and basic knowledge in ES&H issues.

“Company procedures for quality and safety along with our environmental policy and a mature environmental management system has placed us well on the road to meeting all the major components of the ISO 14001 standard,” Harm said.

“Much of what is needed to achieve certification is already in place,” Teixeira said. “USA’s existing ISO 9001, VPP and AS9100 certifications have provided a sound foundation for preparing us to meet the ISO 14001 standard. Employees should be proud to know their workplace practices are achieving environmental excellence.”

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