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Press
Releases - 2000
EPD's
Waste Facilities Business Unit meets ISO 14001 standard
The Waste
Facilities Business Unit (WFBU) of the Environmental Protection
Department has been awarded the International Standard ISO
14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certification
by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA), a spokesman
for the EPD said today (October 3)
The WFBU's
mission is to promote a sustainable waste management strategy
for Hong Kong and to plan and provide waste management facilities
which meet the highest international environmental standards.
The spokesman
said: "Many of the mechanisms required by the Standard have
already been put in place within the WFBU prior to the certification,
such as operational control and environmental reporting. However
the implementation of the ISO14001 EMS helps strengthen the
management of the existing environmental activities of the
Unit and enhance its environmental performance."
The WFBU
is committed to continual improvement by setting ambitious
environmental targets and implementing plans for new waste
reduction measures, as well as planning appropriate waste
facilities to cater for the future.
Progress
and achievements will not only be subject to external audit
every six months, but a regular review will also be undertaken
by the management of WFBU in order to maintain the validity
of the ISO 14001 Certificate.
A series
of environmental training courses have been provided to EPD
staff to further strengthen their knowledge of environmental
management.
"In view
of the environmental implications of the waste management
facilities, we require all new waste facility contractors
to develop their ISO 14001 EMS and obtain certification from
the HKQAA," the spokesman noted.
The ISO14001
EMS allows an organisation to deliver its environmental commitment
to improving environmental performance through evaluating
environmental impacts, identifying control mechanisms, implementing
comprehensive operational procedures, conducting audits and
management reviews, training and motivating employees, preparing
for emergencies and making continual improvement through setting
objectives and targets.
End/Tuesday,
October 3, 2000
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