BUSINESS STANDARDS
is the quarterly magazine of BSI Group, highlighting the vital role that standards play in today's business environment. Regular features include interviews with leading business figures, as well as news on the latest developments in management systems and standards.
Sustainability: more than "green"
30 Nov 2009
Topics: Environment, ISO 14001, Climate change, Carbon footprint, Carbon market, Carbon neutral, Emissions trading, GHG, PAS 2050, CSR, Ethical trading, Health & Safety, OHSAS 18001, PAS 2020, SA8000, Social responsibility, Sustainability, Social accountability, CFV
Sustainable development means taking into account the social, economic and environmental impacts of business activities, not only for the present but also for future generations.
Many in industry believe that a triple bottom line best describes sustainability. The triple bottom line goes by a few different names, 3Ps (people, planet, profit), 3Es (equality, environment, economy) or economic, social and environmental.
To tackle all three areas, sustainable thinking and practices have to be built into the way a business is managed and reflected in the way decisions are made. Long-term sustainable development objectives should be backed up with short-term targets and action plans. Leaders need to think beyond the five-year plan and start looking at the impact their business will have 50 years down the line, and then translate that into policies and practices that filter all the way through their organizations. Management system standards will help organizations adapt and evolve the way the business operates. They provide a robust framework for good practice to ensure an organization has an enduring and balanced approach to economic activity, environmental responsibility and social progress.
For further information on building a greener business, visit www.bsigroup.co.uk/sustainable
Business Standards © 2007. Editorial produced by Caspian Publishing in association with the British Standards Institution. Editorial opinions expressed on are not necessarily those of BSI Group or Caspian Publishing. Neither Caspian Publishing nor BSI Group accept responsibility for advertising or editorial content, nor for that appearing on linked third-party websites. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without written permission from BSI Group or Caspian Publishing.
New standard aims to increase quality of market research
For organizations looking for accurate and reliable information about what their customers think, access panels can be vital. They can involve thousands of respondents completing a research questionnaire on any subject, and are usually commissioned from an access panel provider by a private or public sector organization.
While there was a time when companies would never consider working alongside the competition, today's marketplace demands a more flexible approach. Collaboration is fast becoming par for the course. For example, large government contracts often require expertise that goes far beyond any one company's capacity to deliver. Forming a consortium brings together the right experience in the right place, and it can mean the difference between winning or losing a tender.
A little bit extra for Kitemark® bodyshops and garages
It's all well and good for an automotive bodyshop to earn the Thatcham BSI Kitemark® for Vehicle Body Repair, but it won't have as much impact if potential clients don't know about it. As a consequence, BSI decided to offer an Extras marketing toolkit to bodyshops and garages that have earned the Kitemark.
OCS, an international facilities services group based in the UK, has achieved triple certification to ISO 9001 Quality management, ISO 14001 Environmental management/ and BS OHSAS 18001 Health and safety management with BSI.
A clear case for carbon neutrality
"Carbon neutral" sounds good on paper, but what does it really mean? Organizations are making claims about carbon neutrality for everything from products to travel, events, projects and buildings. The problem is that no one quite agrees what "carbon neutral" means or how far it extends.
Question: Can standards really help minimize the need for regulation?
Regulation and legislation keep business on a level playing field and help mitigate against risk, as was acknowledged by The Hampton Review in 2005.
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