Management systems.

Organisations looking for ISO 14001 certification are being warned that some bodies offering so-called accredited certification services in the UK have not been assessed by the national accreditation body, UKAS.

Under European legislation each member state must appoint a single, nationally recognised body to assess and assure the competence of organisations providing accredited certification in its territory.  This means that certification bodies operating in the UK must apply to UKAS to become accredited in accordance with the EU Regulation.

However, the Association of British Certification Bodies (ABCB) is warning that a number of ISO 14001 assessment bodies in the UK have been accredited by other organisations, potentially leading to companies unwittingly applying for certification that their customers may not recognise.  “We have identified that smaller companies in particular might not understand the difference between UKAS-accredited certification and other accredited certification”, Trevor Nash, chief executive of the ABCB, told the environmentalist.  “For some, particularly those operating in the public sector, it could mean the difference between having their certification recognised in a tender or not”.

Toby Robins, sustainable development director at green office supplies company Wiles Greenworld, agrees with Nash.  “There is a question when bodies aren’t UKAS-accredited as to whether the quality of audits meets the level you, as a customer, require”, he said.  “How can you have confidence that ISO 14001 is being applied correctly?”

The ABCB also argues that while certification bodies accredited by UKAS are evaluated against recognised international standards, it is not always clear how the independent accreditation bodies are assessing organisations.  It does however acknowledge that for some firms UKAS-accredited certification may not be necessary, but it warns that all firms should consider their options carefully before choosing a certification body.

This warning is equally applicable to all ISO certifications.
At Clark Quality we work only with major UKAS-accredited certification companies.  Contact us to obtain a fixed price quotation.

Jensen and his team took part in the Britcar 24 hour race at Silverstone on 1st – 2nd October.  Overcoming a number of significant mechanical problems, including a complete engine change, the team completed the race and finished in a very respectable 14th position out of 23 in their class.

During 2008-2011 the campaign has had a number of key achievements:

Government Programme

UKAS has made significant progress raising the awareness of accreditation across Whitehall.  This has been achieved through many initiatives from senior level meetings, direct mailings of promotional literatures, inter and cross departmental workshops and presentations, as well as through press relations events.

Meetings, workshops and follow-up activities have taken place in a wide range of Government departments and agencies which have broadened the network of contacts, and positioned accreditation as a solution to either supporting or acting as an alternative to regulation. As a result of the campaign an increasing number of development proposals have been converted into accreditation schemes in support of Government policy.

Accreditation Matters, a periodic brochure aimed at policy advisors, is sent to civil servants via email distribution lists, as well as distributed through events and meetings, and to over 200 Editors of trade publications. Accreditation Matters is also placed on web-based Central Government Policy hub, the primary location of policy tools accessed by policy makers.

UKAS has regularly organised themed events to raise awareness of accreditation across Government. Think Tanks on ‘Risk, Responsibility and Regulation’, ‘Quality and Safety in Healthcare Provision’, and ‘Less Government – Better Outcomes’ have been well attended by senior officials, as well as enabling UKAS to generate new contacts. The annual AGM lunch has also broadened awareness and established new contacts. The annual reception at the House of Lords, hosted in collaboration with British Standards, provides policy makers across Government the opportunity to share ideas between departments. The receptions, themed ‘Innovation in the Public Sector’, ‘Standards – a Tool to combat the recession’ and ‘Delivering More for Less’, have attracted over 100 people representing 40 departments and agencies on each occasion.

UKAS has published several advertorials and articles in publications aimed at Policy makers on the key themes of Better Regulation and Innovation. Relationships have been made with the key publications in the sector, namely Civil Service World, and The New Statesman. This has provided UKAS with the opportunity to use political networking events, such as various receptions at the party conferences.

SME and Business Awareness

During the period, UKAS has made significant strides in raising awareness levels in the business community. This has been achieved though several routes, including through indirect channels such as business intermediary organisations, trade associations, partners, and industry networks, but also through direct engagement. UKAS has also benefited from greater support from the conformity assessment community.

Business Intermediaries

UKAS has developed closer relationships with a growing number of business intermediary organisations. Closer relationships have been forged with the CBI, FSB, the IoD, the British Chambers of Commerce, and the Trade Association Forum to act as communications channels to the small business community.

Promotional Materials

The new UKAS website was launched in 2009 to provide clear information for both accredited organisations, but also for users of accredited services. Between 2008-2011, UKAS published a number of materials aimed at promoting the use of accreditation and accredited conformity assessment bodies. These involved brochures aimed at specific sectors, such as organisations in the criminal justice system, retailers and housing associations with a requirement to safely manage asbestos, operators that produce stack emissions, commissioners of health and social care services, and organisations requiring third party inspection activities.

Sector Networks and Workshops

UKAS has actively sought the involvement of accredited organisations to participate in the awareness campaign, as this provides UKAS with direct access to users and potential users of accredited services. This period has seen a greater number of UKAS customers and stakeholders organising workshops and events. Presentations given by UKAS have re-enforced the value of using accredited services in specific sectors. For example, a series of seminars run by Accelerate, provided UKAS the opportunity to present to over 500 procurement managers in the UK automotive sector. In collaboration with CLM, a large electrical safety inspection company, UKAS presented at six regional workshops attended by over 400 facilities managers and contractors.

To counter low UKAS awareness levels among duty holders responsible for the safe management of asbestos, UKAS presented at a large number of events attended by retailers, housing associations, and local authorities. These have included events organised by AEC, Noble, Shield, Lucien and Eurosafe, as well as numerous regional events organised by ATAC, BOHS and HSE. UKAS has also collaborated with a number of accredited inspection bodies seeking to raise awareness of accreditation through a thought leadership website. An online survey has also been circulated through business intermediaries and trade unions to promote the benefits of accredited surveying organisations.

In advance of the UK nuclear new build programme, UKAS has developed contacts with DECC, Rolls Royce, the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate, and the Nuclear Industry Association, to promote a better understanding of accredited inspection and certification. Four expressions of interests have now been received from accredited inspection bodies for inspection of equipment for the new power stations, and so a development project has been established.

Over the last three years, UKAS has worked closely with the Forensic Science Regulator to support his vision of introducing quality standards for all providers. To communicate this vision, UKAS has exhibited and spoken at a number of events such as the Forensic Society, the ACPO conference, and the National Fingerprint conference, as well as published articles in sector publications including Jane’s Review. UKAS also organised three regional workshops which were attended by forensic representatives from over 75% of the national Police Authorities.

Events and Exhibitions

In addition to events or exhibitions organised by business intermediaries or accredited organisations, UKAS has exhibited or spoken at many sector events. These have included stack emissions, waste water, IT security, trading standards, healthcare, off shore inspection, microbiology, food, and laboratory testing. Presentations have also been given at a number of KTN events.

Public Relations

The media and press remains a key channel for raising awareness of accreditation. UKAS continue to benefit from the services of an external PR agency, which has developed strong relationships with target publications. Over the past three years, UKAS has published over 350 articles, releases, and advertorials in the trade press. It has also provided one-to-one briefings with 8 publications ranging from the Grocer to the British Medical Journal.

This year, UKAS featured in Radio 4’s In Business. The programme, which focused on the origins and importance of standards, included an interview with Paul Stennett, UKAS Chief Executive.

Engaging with Specifiers

UKAS has made progress raising awareness levels of accreditation to Local Authorities. A brochure aimed specifically at procurers in Local Authorities has been widely distributed in electronic format.

UKAS has continued to tap into existing best practice networks. For example, a national network consisting of representatives from across local government was established for staff involved in environmental management. UKAS presented to regional networks in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Humber, East and West Midlands, South West, the South East and London, enabling UKAS to reach representatives from all 400 authorities in England.

“We’ve seen a dramatic change in the role of health and safety managers over the last ten years, said NEBOSH Chief Executive, Teresa Budworth. “Environmental management has become a key part of the job, and a demand for knowledge of quality and compliance management is emerging too. The role of management systems within organisations is growing as well, with many organisations now using their management systems to increase efficiency and effectiveness on top of meeting their regulatory and customer requirements.

Many ISO International Standards support the objectives of World Environment Day, held every year on 5 June by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which itself participates in developing ISO standards, notably the ISO 14000 family for environmental management.

WED celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become the one of the main vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action. The theme of WED 2011 is “FORESTS: NATURE AT YOUR SERVICE”.

The development by ISO of the ISO 14000 family was one of the concrete results following on from the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, in Rio de Janeiro, in 1992, translating into action ISO’s commitment to support the objective of sustainable development discussed at the first Earth Summit.

In essence, the ISO 14000 family provides a framework for organizations large and small, in manufacturing and services, in public and private sectors, in industrialized, developing and transition economies, to:

• Minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by their activities
• Meet regulatory requirements
• Achieve continual improvement of their environmental performance
• Improve business performance through more efficient use of resources.

At end of December 2009, 13 years after publication of the first edition of ISO 14001, which gives the requirements for environmental management systems, the standard was being implemented by users in 159 countries and economies. These include both public and private sector organizations, large and small, in manufacturing and services, in developed and developing economies.

In addition to ISO 14001, the ISO 14000 family includes 22 other standards addressing specific challenges such as life cycle analysis, environmental labelling and greenhouse gases.

The ISO 14064:2006 and ISO 14065:2007 standards provide an internationally agreed framework for measuring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and verifying claims made about them so that “a tonne of carbon is always a tonne of carbon”. They support programmes to reduce GHG emissions and also emissions trading programmes. Beyond their welcome by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, they are now being implemented on a day-to-day basis by users as varied as a New Zealand printer, a Norwegian shipping company, an Indian construction company and the Spanish organization that is one of the world’s largest transport infrastructure providers (see online bonus articles).

The ISO 14000 family is the most visible part of ISO’s work for the environment. In addition, however, ISO it offers a wide-ranging portfolio of standardized sampling, testing and analytical methods to deal with specific environmental challenges. It has developed more than 650 International Standards for the monitoring of such aspects as the quality of air, water, soil and nuclear radiation.

These standards are tools for providing business and government with scientifically valid data on the environmental effects of economic activity. They may also be used as the technical basis for environmental regulations. Other environment-related work by ISO includes standards for designing buildings, or retrofitting existing ones, for improved energy efficiency.

Contact Clark Quality for help and advice with your environmental management system and ISO14001 certification.

The findings of a Federation of Small Businesses survey of l0,000 members found that 57% of businesses believe that energy efficiency can provide their business with cost savings, but that there is insufficient advice for small firms to help them understand their potential role in the transition to a low carbon economy.

More than half (57%) have changed the way the business operates because of concerns about climate change.

Nearly half (47%) have recycled waste with 32% reducing energy use and 24% buying energy efficient appliances.

The FSB is calling on the government to introduce three measures to help small businesses be more environmentally friendly:

• An effective smart meter roll-out to small businesses.
• Setting commercially viable rates for feed-in tariffs for micro-renewable energy facilities.
• Extending the scope of the Carbon Trust loans programme for small businesses.

David Caro, chair of the FSB Environment and Energy Committee said, “With the start of the Carbon Reduction Commitment on 1st April – a mandatory carbon emissions trading scheme for large businesses – small firms are worried that similar tough measures will be forced upon them in the future.”

Other actions taken by smaller organisations include reducing the amount of rubbish they send to landfill (25%) and raising awareness of waste with staff (23%).

Chartered Quality Institute
Quality professionals have voted the Conservatives as the political party with the greatest appreciation of quality principlesin the run up to the UK’s general election closely followed by the Liberal Democrats.

A third of quality professionals agreed that the Tory party had the policies that most reflected an understanding of quality in a OW Express poll following the release of the main party manifestos.

The Liberal Democrats, seeming to benefit from Nick Clegg’s performance in the first televised leadership debate were backed by 27% of those who responded, leaving the Labour party trailing in third place with just 16.4% quality professionals supporting them, despite promises to “spread excellence” in their manifesto.

One respondent backing the Conservative party which has pledged to cut “wasteful spending” by £6bn. said, “None of the other parties have a clue about lean management” At the same time. however, a Liberal Democrat supporter argued, “The Tories criticism of targets indicates that they do not understand the basic quality principle of plan-do-check-act.”

More worrying was the number of respondents that believed none of the parties truly understood quality. One said, “Political parties espouse quality principles but that is not reflected by an understanding of proper implementation. Most instances are knee jerk reactions to failure, never from promotion of best practice or excellence.”

Another said, “One important are that the Conservatives do seem to understand is removing the Whitehall staff paid huge salaries to tell the public sector what to do. Getting rid of these people will save the country millions of pounds in salaries and result in bigger savings when public sector managers no longer have to comply with bad ideas.”

UKAS

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) has been formally appointed as the National Accreditation Body for the United Kingdom, under a new EU Regulation.

Since its formation in 1995, UKAS has been the sole accreditation body recognised by the UK Government to assess, against internationally recognised standards, organisations that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. The new Regulation, which comes into force on 1 January 2010, requires each member state to appoint a single national accreditation body. UKAS has therefore been appointed under a statutory instrument providing, for the first time, a legal basis for its role.

In a Written Statement to Parliament, Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation said: “Since 1995, the government have recognised UKAS as the sole national accreditation body for the UK. Since its establishment by the Department of Trade and Industry, UKAS has played a significant role in the operation of national, European and international accreditation.

“The Department of Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) has a long-standing and effective relationship with UKAS that both parties value highly. We will continue to work together not only to ensure that the requirements of the EC Regulation are fulfilled but to improve the quality and breadth of accreditation in the UK.”

The new Regulation is intended to improve the consistency of accreditation services across Europe by setting common requirements for national accreditation bodies and requiring them to be monitored by member state governments. The new Regulation includes requirements relating to independence, impartiality and technical competence The Regulation also requires national accreditation bodies to operate on a not for profit basis and not to compete with other national accreditation bodies.

The Regulation recognises the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) as the co-ordinating organisation for accreditation across Europe. National accreditation bodies will be required to be members of EA and to participate in the peer evaluation programme operated by EA as the preferred means of demonstrating compliance with the Regulation.

Paul Stennett, Chief Executive at UKAS said: “UKAS has for many years worked with the UK government and our European counterparts to provide confidence in the conformity assessment services on which business and society rely. UKAS is delighted that this appointment has codified into law this long established relationship and looks forward to continuing to work with BIS and EA to ensure that accreditation services in the UK fulfil the high standards set out in the new Regulation.”