China Overseas Holdings Limited
Introduction
China Overseas Building Construction Limited (COBCL), China Overseas Civil Engineering Limited (COCEL) and China Overseas Foundation Engineering Limited (COFEL) are subsidiaries of China Overseas Holdings Limited (COHL) that are engaged in construction business in Hong Kong. Their scopes of business are design and construction of building, civil engineering and foundation works respectively. COHL is an independent Hong Kong subsidiary of China State Construction Engineering Corporation - the largest united construction company in mainland China, and mainly engaged in property development, construction and infrastructure investment business. Environmental protection is one of the basic policies of COHL and its subsidiaries. It is the results of guidance from relevant government departments as well as united effort of al1 staff, making COBCL, COCEL and COFEL to be the first three ISO 14001 certified construction companies in Hong Kong.
Reasons for Implementing ISO 14001
The major reason for COHL to establish environmental management system (EMS) as well as COBCL, COCEL and COFEL implement this EMS under the supervision of COHL and seek ISO 14001 certification is to systematize, standardize and specify the existing environmental protection works, in order to enhance the environmental standard of COHL's construction business and fulfill the requirements of more and more customers and general publics on the overall environmental performances of COBCL, COCEL and COFEL. On the other hand, it is also to ensure the environmental protection works are in line with COHL's environmental policy, and demonstrate COHL's commitment to the local community with respect to environmental protection. At the same time, COHL aims to pioneer environmental protection within the construction industry, so as to encourage other construction companies to implement ISO 14001, and contribute to "sustainable development".
Benefits of ISO 14001 Certification
The benefits arised from the implementation of ISO 14001 can be divided into two categories, namely the financial and communal benefits. The greatest financial benefit is the reduction of operational costs. ISO 14001 assists in reducing waste and consumption of resources (materials , fuels and energy), thus can cut down the expenses in resources and waste management. ISO 14001 can also assist in establishing and maintaining a highly efficient management framework, and driving COHL and its subsidiaries to comply more properly with the statutory requirements. On the other hand, ISO 14001 certification can enhance public image and credibility, and may also comply with customers' future requirements for contractors to have ISO 14001 certificate, thus improve its competitiveness and market shares. COBCL, COCEL and COFEL being certified with ISO 14001, the staff not only increase in environmental awareness, they are also proud of being a member of COHL, this greatly enhance the staff's morale and sense of belonging.
China Overseas Holdings Limited
Sun Wen Jie
Chairman & President
October,1998
