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News Release from: Passingham Associates | Subject: Environmental Standard (BS 8555: 2003)
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 August 2003
Time for SMEs to take notice of 'green'
actions
The introduction of a new Environmental Standard (BS 8555: 2003) has provided many sSMEs across the south with a step by step mechanism to grow and develop management systems.
Last week saw the 'naming and shaming' of some of Britain's biggest companies who are continuing to commit environmental offences The top ten polluting companies, that include Southern Water Services, South West Water and Thames Water Utilities, have been embarrassed by the Environment Agency in its spotlight on business environmental performance 2002 report
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 17 Mar 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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While high profile companies will always be scrutinised for their waste management, what about small and medium-sized businesses which make up over 90% of all firms in this country? The introduction of a new Environmental Standard (BS 8555: 2003) has provided many small and medium-sized businesses across the south with a step by step mechanism to grow and develop environmental management systems.
The BS 8555 framework enables companies to choose the pace of their environmental programmes, and the ways in which they measure and monitor performance.
The standard was developed and tested in several European countries through a partnership between the British Standards Institution, BSI, and several large UK firms, including Marks and Spencer and Biffa, to promote environmental best practice.
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Up until recently, the notion of sound environmental practice has always been seen as an issue for big multinational corporations.
Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) have been under the illusion that implementing an environmental management system is something that is either logistically or financially out of their reach.
Dr Catherine Passingham, a Fellow of the Institute of Quality Assurance and a Registered Environmental Auditor, has proved that SMEs need not perceive environmental management as a daunting prospect.
'Small organisations who want to meet today's environmental standards are often intimidated by the fact that they need to consider a whole range of issues, whilst managing day-to-day operations and winning new orders,' explains Catherine.
'The paradox is that an increasing number of larger companies now expect their suppliers to be able to demonstrate a commitment to environmental protection and improvement.
Many SMEs simply don't know where to start, and are wary of outsourcing the project.' As founder of Environmental and Quality Consultants, Passingham Associates, Catherine has developed the personal approach and support required to ensure that her clients, including Fibropower Ltd and The Royal Parks Agency, are never left on their own.
'When a consultant is not physically with you, they should always be available by phone or email to give project advice.
This is the first time that the challenges for SMEs to manage their impact on the environment have been specifically addressed.
There are over 3.7 million SMEs and small firms (which employ fewer than 10 people) in the UK.
60% of all commercial waste comes from SME's together with 80% of all pollution incidents so can they afford to say 'why should I bother'.
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