UK automotive OEMs must take a hard look at issues

Forthcoming issues such as Corporate Social responsibility, the proposed Battery Directive, Integrated Product Policy and the Energy Using Products Directive face the UK automotive makers.

EHS Projects, the North's fastest growing environmental health and safety specialist, believe that the way EHS issues are tackled over the next few years will be crucial for the future of the UK's automotive manufacturing industry.

With forthcoming issues such as Corporate Social responsibility, the Proposed Battery Directive, Integrated Product Policy (IPP) and the Energy Using Products Directive (EUP), EHS Projects believe that it is time that the automotive manufacturing industry took a long hard look at some of the serious issues they are facing, as well as easy ways to clean up, save money and be ready for new EC and UK legislation.

Andy Taylor, Operations Manager at EHS Projects, said, "There are many issues facing the automotive industry but the most pressing are those around waste management.

Our experience is showing that many UK automotive companies are failing to forward plan the necessary changes to address this legislation.

For example many organizations are unfamiliar with the implications (both legal and cost) of the Landfill Directive and the requirement to cease co disposal of wastes from July 2004.

Many will also still be struggling to be ready a year later when the changes under the Hazardous Waste Regulations come into force in 2005.

'It is not difficult for companies to keep ahead of current, future and proposed requirements relevant to their business.

This can be hard for many businesses to do on their own, but by working closely with bodies like EHS Projects, it is easy to prepare.

We help them access the information, assess the cost implications, identify improvement opportunities and oversee the implementation of effective management systems well in advance of the requirements." It is important for companies to achieve benchmarks such as ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001, as well as preparing for directives like the 'End of Life Vehicles Directive' and Integrated Product Policy (IPP) and the Battery Directive.

Customers will be relying on suppliers to have the necessary product information and ability to prove their probity in meeting EHS standards within relatively short timeframes.

Companies should prepare now rather than operate a panic response approach.

Obviously a car manufacturer public image is also important and ISO 14001 gives increased protection from risk of environmental litigation.

Reiter Automotive (GB) has been working with EHS Projects over the past year to achieve ISO 14001.

Reiter has long recognised the importance of the interaction between their activities and the environment.

However, with key blue chip clients, including Toyota, making ISO 14001 a requirement for their main suppliers, gaining the certification was crucial.

In fact, if Reiter hadn1t complied they could have found themselves off Toyota's supplier's list - a move that would have had huge repercussions across the company.

Previously Reiter was spending over half a million pounds a year taking site waste to landfill.

For the surrounding neighbourhood this meant up to ten HGV's leaving the site each day, something which had begun to lead to poor community relations as a result of the high levels of noise, odour and litter the transportation created.

In addition the following areas were also a cause for concern: * Occurrence of pollution incidents through lack of prevention measures and poor management.

* Lack of onsite security, leading to incidents causes by vandals, such as the release of materials to the drain.

* Ongoing regulatory pressure and the threat of prosecutions and fines from both the Local Authority and the Environmental Agency.

* Failure to ensure all licences were in place and being monitored in order to operate processes.

* Little awareness of environmental responsibilities amongst key members of staff.

With advice from EHS a key environmental policy now in place is that site waste is now shredded on site resulting in savings of up to 50% on waste disposal costs which was previously transported to land fill.

As a result of the initiative, transport costs have been cut by up to 60%, representing a significant saving in the amount of CO2 being generated as a result of the transport operation.

This is being followed up by an initiative to reduce the overall tonnage of waste being sent for disposal, by developing alternative uses for surplus or waste materials in conjunction with a number of other companies.

Additional improvements include: * Formation of an environmental management team with regular weekly meetings and monthly audits and reports submitted to site management.

* Site clearance, including clean up and repair q Improvement in security, containment and housekeeping measures.

* Management, supervisory and shop floor environmental training.

* Training on hazardous substances, assessment and management.

* The sites are now cleaner and safer and legally compliant in all processes.

* All employees now have set environmental responsibilities.

Duncan Chappell, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager for Reiter Automotive, comments: "Like most busy businesses the environmental message is one of many competing for attention.

However, we recognised that the issue deserved to be noticed and through the help of EHS we have been able to implement a number of key improvements that have and will go straight to our bottom line." Chappell adds: "As a result of the EHS Projects support we achieved the IS0 14001 certification in June 2003, but that is only part of the picture for us.

We take full responsibility for the long-term sustainability of both our business and our products.

A key role for us will be to continue to work with EHS to make maximum use of energy saving efficiencies in other key areas such as use of water, gas and electricity.

Not only that but we can now focus on the new directives coming in and ensure we are ahead of them and our competitors." Taylor concludes: 'Improving your environmental credentials is not just about raising your profile, it's about taking control of costs too.

Implementing key environmental procedures is one of the most responsible actions that a business can take with cost savings taking effect from day one.

It really is a win-win situation, as Reiter has found out.' Andy Taylor, Operations Manager at EHS Projects, said, "There is no holding back the wind of change that is blowing through the industry today.

If you embrace the environmental, health and safety issues the pragmatic way there is a bright outlook for a company's bank balance, as well as the environment.

But for those that delay, for those that only plan in the short term, for those who feel it is someone else's responsibility it is a different outlook.

These are all simple issues to address.

Tackling these now can create cost savings and more effective working practices.

Companies can either adopt quality standards and systems, or call on the advice of professionals, like us, who can audit their business practices.

It is time for the automotive industry to act before it ends up costing them through lost business, government fines, law suits or crisis situations caused by poor EHS management.".

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