South West site gains ISO 14001

24 September 2008

Branston has received ISO 14001 accreditation at its site in Seavington St Michael, in recognition of the company's comprehensive and stringent Environmental Management System. The award of ISO 14001 follows nearly two years of preparation work by the company. To meet the standard, Branston has had to demonstrate that it monitors and limits its impact on the environment wherever possible.

Ian Wait, General Manager at Branston South West said: "As a business we're committed to working to the highest standards. About three years ago Branston's Directors committed to achieving ISO 14001. Since then we've looked at our entire operation, from the waste we produce through to our use of oil, gas and electricity. We now have a range of systems, processes and procedures in place to ensure that we are doing all we can to minimise our impact on the environment, reduce our energy consumption and maximise the reuse or recycling of waste materials.

"Being audited for ISO 14001 is a painstaking process and every area of the operation has been inspected. We've had to work incredibly hard to ensure we meet the demanding criteria but I am delighted to say we surpassed the standards required and are now ISO 14001 accredited! Everyone is becoming more aware of the need to manage their impact on the environment and ISO 14001 shows our customers and suppliers that we're a committed and responsible company operating to the highest standards. As a result of changing our working practices, we're helping the business to reduce its costs and become greener at the same time, so it's a win-win situation."

ISO 14001 was first published in 1996 by the International Organization for Standardization and specifies the actual requirements for an environmental management system. It aplies to those environmental aspects that the organisation has control over and on which it can be expected to have an influence.