The integration of the standards systems of quality management,environmental management and occupational health and safety management

This paper considers the systems of Quality, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety management. It prospectively analyses the advantages and disadvantages of integrating these systems, as opposed to the systems having independent management in a manufacturing company. Quality Management standards' (ISO 9000) evolution towards Total Quality Management is the starting point. Recent revisions embodied some of the requirements portrayed in the Environmental Management standards (ISO 14000), as well as issues pertaining to Occupational Health and Safety (OHSAS 18001). This tendency towards inclusion of material from different standards systems is expected to be even more evident in the forthcoming revision of the ISO 9000 standards. There is still a notorious absence of an integrated document; ISO has not yet adopted the OHSAS 18001 standard and there are hardships inherent in such an integrative approach. Commonalities between the three systems are emphasized. Foreseen advantages for companies pertain to economies of scale in the certification processes and a joint approach to the provision of quality, environmental responsibility and workforce protection. As a conclusion, the need to pursue standards integration is emphasized. The paper also exposes some predictive gains to be encountered in further integrating the standards system with the inclusion of ergonomics certification.     

How can Cleaner Production practices contribute to meet ISO 14001 requirements? Critical analysis from a survey with industrial companies

The companies’ needs to adopt changes in their way of production to maximize the environmental performance required by their stakeholders, and at the same time, to maximize their economic and market performance, have made them seek for environmental strategies and certifications. In this sense, the Cleaner Production and the Environmental Management System based on ISO 14001 have been, respectively, presented, since the main objective of this research is to identify and analyze Cleaner Production contributions to comply with ISO 14001 requirements. For such, a survey research has been carried out in Brazilian industrial companies certified by ISO 14001. We have identified the main performance factors by leading practices and variables of Cleaner Production that contribute to the compliance with the standard requirements by companies. Thus, it has been noted that Cleaner Production is an important strategy for the preparation of companies for certification as well as for improving their environmental performance.     

Iso 19011:2002--a combined auditing standard for quality and environmental management systems.

In a precedent-setting decision in 1998, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) directed ISO Technical Committee (TC) 176 on Quality Management and ISO TC 207 on Environmental Management to develop jointly a single guideline standard for auditing quality and environmental management systems. When approved, this standard would replace ISO 10011-1, ISO 10011-2, and ISO 10011-3 on quality auditing and ISO 14010, ISO 14011, and ISO 14012 on environmental auditing. A Joint Working Group (JWG) was established comprising experts from both TC 176 and TC 207 to develop the new standard, ISO 19011, Guidelines on Quality and/or Environmental Management Systems Auditing, and to incorporate lessons learned from efforts to improve compatibility between ISO 9001/9004 and ISO 14001/14004, the standards for quality and environmental management systems, respectively. Work is proceeding on the development of ISO 19011 with an expected completion in early 2002.     

Transforming an EPA QA/R-2 quality management plan into an ISO 9002 quality management system.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR) requires environmental data of known quality to support Superfund hazardous waste site projects. The Quality Assurance Technical Support (QATS) Program is operated by Shaw Environmental and Infrastructure, Inc. to provide EPA's Analytical Operations Center (AOC) with performance evaluation samples, reference materials, on-site laboratory auditing capabilities, data audits (including electronic media data audits), methods development, and other support services. The new QATS contract awarded in November 2000 required that the QATS Program become ISO 9000 certified. In a first for an EPA contractor, the QATS staff and management successfully transformed EPA's QA/R-2 type Quality Management Plan into a Quality Management System (QMS) that complies with the requirements of the internationally recognized ISO 9002 standard and achieved certification in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. The presentation describes how quality system elements of ISO 9002 were implemented on an already existing quality system. The psychological and organizational challenges of the culture change in QATS' day-to-day operations will be discussed for the benefit of other ISO 9000 aspirants.     

The effect of ISO quality management system standards on industrial property rights in Turkey

The aim of this study was to assess whether the systematical application of the following ISO quality management system standards: ISO 9001 (Quality Management System), ISO 22000 (Food Safety Management System), ISO 14001 (Environment Management System), ISO 13425 (Medical Device Quality Management System), ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System) and ISO 16949 (Automotive Quality Management System) have had an effect on the emergence of industrial property rights in Turkey. Information was collected about the number of ISO standard certification documents that Turkish organizations received in respect of these standards between the period of 2007 and 2013. For the same period, information about the number of granted patents, petty patents, trademarks and industrial designs in Turkey were also collected. The information was analyzed by year, industrial property right type and ISO standard. A Spearman correlation analysis was also conducted to determine the strength of association between the number of certification documents and the number of granted industrial property rights. The analysis showed that some of the ISO standards had either a positive or negative linear relationship with one or more of the granted industrial property right types. Although the total number of certification documents had decreased over the time period of the study, the number of granted industrial property rights in Turkey had increased over the same period indicating that the adoption of quality managment system standards may have led to an increase in national innovation in Turkey. This observation may help to improve innovation in other countries similar to Turkey.     

A methodology for selecting a green technology portfolio based on synergy

Green manufacturing (GM) is a kind of modern manufacturing mode with the full consideration of resources consumption and environmental impact. The publication of EMS ISO14000, OHSAS18000, environmental label system and environmental regulations has also promoted the practice of GM in real production to a large extent. In order to help enterprises to effectively implement GM with limited environmental investment, we present a methodology for selecting a green technology portfolio from the perspective of environmental strategy. The enterprise benefits derived from each portfolio, including economic and environmental benefits, are evaluated by six main objectives: cost, quality, time, service, resource consumption, and environmental impact. In addition, the synergies among the different types of technologies in one green technology portfolio are also taken into account. Lastly, an illustrative example provides some insights into the application of this methodology.     

The costs and benefits of getting the ISO 9000 certification in the manufacturing sector in Saudi Arabia.

Many Saudi companies, in their journey to improve quality, efficiency and competitiveness, are pursuing and obtaining the ISO 9000 certificate. Many studies have evaluated how to implement ISO 9000 in different sectors, but none have analyzed the effectiveness of ISO 9000 certification (costs and benefits) on improving the overall quality and on meeting expectations. This study addressed these issues by investigating manufacturing organizations in Saudi Arabia that have the ISO 9000 certification. A survey questionnaire was distributed to firms throughout the kingdom. Thirty-two firms participated in the study. Results indicate that increased consistency of operations, improved service, and product quality are among the top motivators for pursuing the ISO certificate. The benefits most often experienced were improved awareness of procedural problems, better management control, keeping existing customers, increased customer satisfaction, and improved customer service. Difficulties experienced during the certification process involved time and cost, but these were not considered to be major problems. A high volume of paperwork was the main problem experienced following initial certification. Respondents in general said that the ISO 9000 certification met their expectations and that their level of satisfaction regarding the impact of ISO 9000 was high. Most recommended that other organizations pursue the certificate.     

Relating TQM,marketing and business performance: An exploratory study

Total Quality Management (TQM) is perhaps the leading management approach that companies employ to improve their product and service quality with the aim of improving typical measures of business performance (e.g. increased profits, increased market share, reduced costs). However, consumer perception of quality not only results from an evaluation of the intrinsic quality attributes of the product (e.g. performance, reliability, durability) but is also affected by the marketing mix (e.g. price, advertising, warranties) adopted by the company selling the product. This paper offers a first attempt at cross-functional fertilization by examining the relationships between TQM, some marketing mix variables and measures of company performance by exploring the diverse multidisciplinary literature and developing an explanatory framework, which is tested using non-parametric correlation and refined through an empirical study of Spanish manufacturing companies. The results show that the most important TQM dimensions are the system of employee relations and the use of quality management-related design tools. The results also indicate the existence of a relationship amongst price, advertising and warranties, but that these marketing variables were not related to TQM and that further research is required to include a wider definition of marketing strategy.     

我国企业推行ISO14000标准的宏观条件

分析了我国企业推行ISO14000标准的现状,指出影响我国企业推行ISO14000标准的宏观原因 主要集中在三大方面,并对如何完善我国企业推行ISO14000标准的宏观条件提出了相应的对策.     

基于熵权的模糊综合评价方法在企业环境业绩中的应用

以一家已通过ISO 9000和ISO 14000标准体系认证的制造企业A为例,构建了适合制造企业的环境业绩综合评价指标体系,并利用熵权及模糊综合评判法对企业A的环境业绩进行了综合评估和结果分析.结果表明,企业A环境业绩水平良好,企业环境贡献对企业经济收益起到一定的作用.     

Doe's quality system program: cooperative development and implementation.

Implementation of a Quality Systems approach to making defensible environmental program decisions depends upon multiple, interrelated components. Often, these components are developed independently and implemented at various facility and program levels in an attempt to achieve consistency and cost savings. The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) focuses on three primary system components to achieve effective environmental data collection and use. (1) Quality System guidance, which establishes the management framework to plan, implement, and assess work performed; (2) A Standardized Statement of Work for analytical services, which defines data generation and reporting requirements consistent with user needs; and (3) A laboratory assessment program to evaluate adherence of work performed to defined needs, e.g., documentation and confidence. This paper describes how DOE-EM fulfills these requirements and realizes cost-savings through participation in interagency working groups and integration of system elements as they evolve.     

"Power quality system," a new system of quality management for globalization: towards innovation and competitive advantages.

Knowledge Management (KM) addresses the critical issues of organizational adoption, survival and competence in the face of an increasingly changing environment. KM embodies organizational processes that seek a synergistic combination of the data and information processing capabilities of information and communication technologies (ICT), and the creative and innovative capacity of human beings to improve ICT In that role, knowledge management will improve quality management and avoid or minimize losses and weakness that usually come from poor performance as well as increase the competitive level of the company and its ability to survive in the global marketplace. To achieve quality, all parties including the clients, company consultants, contractors, entrepreneurs, suppliers, and the governing bodies (i.e., all involved stake-holders) need to collaborate and commit to achieving quality. The design based organizations in major business and construction companies have to be quality driven to support healthy growth in today's competitive market. In the march towards vision 2020 and globalization (i.e., the one world community) of many companies, their design based organizations need to have superior quality management and knowledge management to anticipate changes. The implementation of a quality system such as the ISO 9000 Standards, Total Quality Management, or Quality Function Deployment (QFD) focuses the company's resources towards achieving faster and better results in the global market with less cost. To anticipate the needs of the marketplace and clients as the world and technology change, a new system, which we call Power Quality System (PQS), has been designed. PQS is a combination of information and communication technologies (ICT) and the creative and innovative capacity of human beings to meet the challenges of the new world business and to develop high quality products.     

Life Cycle Assessment as a tool for environmental management

 This paper illustrates, using data from test cases, how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) may be used to enhance environmental management, particularly when used in conjunction with Environmental Management Systems. There are a number of areas where LCA can be helpful: in the identification of significant environmental effects; in the quantification of those effects; in the assessment of year-to-year changes in environmental performance and in the assessment of the environmental benefits (or disadvantages) arising from changes (actual or planned) in operating conditions, equipment, procedures, raw materials or products. There are some issues which cannot (at present) be adequately assessed using LCA and these are also discussed. Received: 8 January 1999 / Accepted: 11 February 1999     

The transformation of Lebanese firms from ISO 9000 certified to TQM.

Over the past decade, the most effective method of implementing a quality system has been ISO 9000 certification. Lebanese companies have recently followed the same path of adopting and improving their status in quality systems. The overwhelming belief is that ISO 9000 is, by itself, not enough. It is a first stepping-stone in the road to business excellence, but ISO 9000 does not guarantee an improvement in the product or service being offered. All indications are that Total Quality Management (TQM) is the method for improving quality as a whole. This improvement is, of course, entirely reliant on the proper implementation and understanding of the scope and underlying objectives. The relatively new adoption of TQM as an effective tool in the struggle to achieve substantial improvements in quality is made clear in the results of a survey that are presented in this article. Recommendations as how to make the transition between ISO 9000 and TQM are made, and a discussion is provided of the need for organizational change, both internal and external, within companies in the Lebanese market. The aim of this work is to present a clear representation of what is actually occurring within the Lebanese domestic market with regards to the understanding the TQM philosophy.     

工业中的环境管理问题EI

通过对ＩＳＯ１４０００系列国际标准的报道，介绍了环境管理问题。指出了材料研制和生产过程中在环境管理方面存在的问题。建议专业技术人员重视环境管理问题。     

Drivers,barriers and social considerations for AI adoption in SCM

This study explored the challenges and recommendations for implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in SC Management (SCM). The experts identified several drivers for AI adoption in SCM, including increased efficiency, improved decision-making, and reduced costs. However, they highlighted several barriers to AI adoption, such as data quality and management issues, resistance to change, and lack of understanding and trust in AI. To overcome these barriers and ensure successful AI implementation, companies should involve all stakeholders, focus on data quality and management, and ensure the AI solution integrates with existing processes and workflows. In addition, companies should also avoid common mistakes when implementing AI, such as neglecting the importance of explainability and transparency in AI decision-making, underestimating the importance of involving all stakeholders, and rushing into large-scale implementation without conducting small-scale pilot projects. By following the recommendations and avoiding common mistakes, companies can harness the benefits of AI in SCM while minimizing risks and challenges.     

ISO14001环境管理体系标准未来实施所面临的挑战

自1996年ISO／TC207国际标准化组织环境管理技术委员会发布《ISO14001环境管理体系要求及使用指南》国际标准以来，在全球范围掀起了环境管理体系标准的实施和认证活动，各类组织通过实施环境管理体系标准取得了良好的社会、环境和经济效益。本文在总结分析ISO14001国际标准实施经验的基础上，提出ISO14001国标准未来实施所面临的挑战。     

Keys to effective third-party process safety audits

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) Process Safety Management (PSM) regulation was promulgated in 1992. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) corresponding Risk Management Program (RMP) rule followed in 1996. Both programs include requirements for triennial compliance audits. Effective compliance audits are critical in identifying program weaknesses and ensuring the safety of facility personnel and the surrounding public. Large companies with corporate and facility health, safety, and environmental groups typically have the resources and experience to conduct audits internally, either through a corporate audit team or the sharing of personnel between multiple facilities. Small to medium sized businesses frequently do not have the expertise or the resources to perform compliance audits, and rely on third-party consultants to provide these services. This paper will discuss the observations of the authors in performing audits and working with PSM/RMP programs across a number of market sectors (e.g. chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, water treatment), including effective practices, hurdles to successful implementation and execution of programs, and typical program shortcomings. The paper will also discuss steps to improve the audit process and increase effectiveness whether performed by a third party or internally.     

Application of a predictive Bayesian model to environmental accounting

Environmental accounting techniques are intended to capture important environmental costs and benefits that are often overlooked in standard accounting practices. Environmental accounting methods themselves often ignore or inadequately represent large but highly uncertain environmental costs and costs conditioned by specific prior events. Use of a predictive Bayesian model is demonstrated for the assessment of such highly uncertain environmental and contingent costs. The predictive Bayesian approach presented generates probability distributions for the quantity of interest (rather than parameters thereof). A spreadsheet implementation of a previously proposed predictive Bayesian model, extended to represent contingent costs, is described and used to evaluate whether a firm should undertake an accelerated phase-out of its PCB containing transformers. Variability and uncertainty (due to lack of information) in transformer accident frequency and severity are assessed simultaneously using a combination of historical accident data, engineering model-based cost estimates, and subjective judgement. Model results are compared using several different risk measures. Use of the model for incorporation of environmental risk management into a company's overall risk management strategy is discussed.     

Industry and energy sectors in Flanders: environmental performance and response indicators

A number of indicators are evaluated and used to measure the environmental performance of the industry and energy sectors in Flanders and their progress towards sustainability: eco-efficiency, existence of a certified Environmental Management System, environmental expenditures, production of sustainable energy, environmental damage by electricity production, cost of environmental levies and number of registered complaints. The indicators are evaluated in relation with recently proposed frameworks and it is discussed whether the indicators are response or performance indicators; absolute or relative indicators.