Introduction
ISO certification entails the certification accorded to organizations and institutions by the international organization for standardization, which involves some consistent guidelines towards some procedures. There are different types of ISO certifications depending on the activities involved for instance, transportation, health and safety and environmental management, among others.
Many firms, especially those involved with activities that touch on environmental sensitive issues have now made it a necessity for the supplies to be ISO 14001 certified in both local international markets. This piece of work discusses various aspects of the environmental management ISO certification based on the decision questions.
Does the example of La Framboisere mean famers are not afraid to try something new?
The raspberry farm business does not really mean that farmers are not afraid to try something new but rather an explanation that human beings always strive to make things better for themselves and for others most especially where the activities in which they are involved with in the process of change are deemed to bring along some benefits to them and the society at large. For instance, the changes adopted by La Framboisere are aimed at making things better in terms of efficiency and enhanced productivity.
These involve the plan to make the firm’s operations more environmental friendly through good environment management practices like reduction in the use of pesticides and conservation of water through irrigation. Other environmental friendly operations involve proper use and storage of fuel, appropriate management of wastes products and recycling of materials where possible. This has however been made possible through the adoption of the ISO 14001 certification.
The fact that other farmers are catching on the steps taken by the La Framboisere firm, for instance, those involved with production and selling of products consumed by human beings like milk, pork and others is a confirmation that the farmers are willing to improve their services for the better as well as increasing their productivity, things that they have observed in La Framboisere business firm.
It is also an indication that most people, including the farmers are able to learn by example (the La Framboisere) rather than just relying on told information or stories where evidence cannot be ascertained (Nickels, McHugh, Cossa and McHugh 2).
I would be quicker to buy a fruit, vegetables or any other product that has an ISO 14,000 seal of approval as opposed to that without due to the many benefits associated with the certification, for instance, the high quality of the products which are not contaminated with pesticides or other chemicals, for example.
There is also the internal satisfaction that is brought about by having the belief that you have purchased a product that is of high quality and that which can be of help to the body or in any other way of utilization. Another general benefits of the ISO certification is that it allows for easier penetration to markets, especially where certification is one of the entry requirements since this is a guarantee of quality, which most people are sensitive about.
The ISO certification also provides an organization with an edge, which is very essential in today’s competitive market. The internal benefits to an ISO certified organizations are also present and immediate in most cases. They include; improved efficiency and effectiveness, which is achievable through the regular examination of the methods and techniques that are utilized in the various processes of the organization and application of appropriate changes.
There is also consistency in production brought about by the strict adhering to the formal and published documentation which outlines the methods and practices to be followed in the processes. The documentation also plays an essential role in ensuring consistency in the organization’s procedures as it serves as a guide or benchmark.
Why are many companies reluctant to explore more environmentally friendly alternatives?
Although it is evident from this case study that being kind to the environment can result in decreased and not extra costs of operations in organizations, it is true that most companies and institutions are still reluctant to explore more environmentally friendly alternatives despite having the knowledge of the benefits accrued to it.
One of the reasons for the reluctance of the companies to the adaptation of the environmentally friendly operations is the natural force of resistance to change that is present in human beings combined with the fear of the unknown or the uncertainty that the adaptation of the changes will bring about the expected results or otherwise lead to waste of resources and time with no notable benefits.
The requirements needed for an organization to be ISO 14000 certified also may make most companies to postpone or ignore it as they count them as a burden forgetting the many benefits that are associated with the certification. Some of the requirements include the availability of a supporting policy manual, effective and efficient procedures and practices, proper records management practices and data collection, among others.
The process of getting registered is also a contributing factor towards the reluctance as it is lengthy and time-consuming since it entails the creation of an environmental management system that requires formation of a commission to see it through in liaison with the top management.
The committee is in charge of designing a way in which the environmental aspects and impacts of the operation are identified, the identification of the legal and organizational requirements and establishment of a program for achieving the targets and objectives.
Application for certification by outside auditors is then done. Some documents are then reviewed and submitted to the registration body. Outside auditors then conduct a rigorous assessment from which findings are used as a basis by the certification body to either grant or deny registration to the organization.
The ISO 14000 rating is influential in regard to the popularity of consumer products in different ways. Products that are ISO 14000 certified are likely to gain greater popularity as compared to the rest to a certain degree most especially because consumers deem them to be of high quality and hence they are likely to purchase and use them at the expense of those without the rating. This will also lead to the spread of the news to other customers, which in return will lead to the increased consumption of the products due to their popularity.
The ability of the ISO certified products to secure larger and better market places in the competitive world also makes them popular since the certification is sometimes a requirement for the entry into the market giving the products with the rating a competitive advantage. The enhancement of quality and the fact that the products are consistent in nature due to the consistency in the practices and process applied upon them also makes them popular as people are deemed to prefer to use a standard and consistent product.
How important do you think it is to move more quickly in the direction of reducing damage to the environment? Do we need stricter laws? Or would stricter enforcement of existing regulations do the job?
The environment is a very essential element to living organisms more specifically human beings. This is because in as much as the human beings benefit from the utilization of the resources in their environment, the environment needs to be conserved to avoid or reduce damages for the sake of the present use and even the future generations. There are numerous benefits that are accrued to the conservation of the environment and all organizations should bear in mind the concept of conserving their immediate environment in the course of carrying out their activities and processes.
The importance of preventing the damages on the environment is that it leads to protection of the future sources of energy or resources and also avoids problems associated with the damages for instance pollution, depletion of important resources, deforestation and desertification, destruction of ozone layer as a result of emissions and production of greenhouse gases among others.
Organizations should, therefore, embark on practices that are aimed at conserving the environment under all circumstances, for instance, recycling of waste materials, proper handling of garbage, improved land use, prevention of emissions and other forms of pollution, among others.
The existing laws in regard to the conservation of the environment should be reinforced in an effort to make the rules and regulations strict hence avoiding the indulgence in activities that are deemed to cause destruction to the environment as the people will now be responsible and accountable for their actions.
It is only in the event of the ineffectiveness of the laws after the strict enforcement that new laws could be considered or even when there is some gaps in the laws governing the environment due to the evolution of the human activities that are geared towards destruction of the environment which could in one way or the other not be covered in the existing environment conservation laws.
The reinforced existing laws and new laws and policies to be established in regard to the environment and utilization of the resources therein should be enforced in such a manner that those caught in destructive acts are heavily punished to act as an example to the rest hence reducing the chances of engaging in destructive activities.
Another way of dealing with this issue is the combination of the laws with campaign and education programs aimed at instilling the importance of conserving the environment among the individuals and organizations since this is a positive step towards reducing the negative effects of human activity on the environment as the people will be enlightened and therefore work towards safeguarding the environment for their own good and for the sake of the generations to come.
The emphasis on the importance of the ISO 14000 to institutions is also a positive aspect since it will ensure that the organizations adhere to the stipulated laws, policies and rules hence have the objective of safeguarding the environment under all means for their benefits and that of the entire society that depends on the environment as a source of livelihood, for instance, water, quality air that is free from pollution among other aspects.
How can we encourage more companies to take a lead so that others will follow? Would you be in favor of tax concessions to aid companies going green?
To most individuals, it is easier and effective to show or lead by example rather than the investment on establishment and enforcement of strong and strict laws. This is because it is usually hard for people to believe what they have not seen or experienced than what has been proven to work and most especially to be beneficial.
This is evident even in the case study where many companies are willing to follow La Framboisere firm in its efforts to taking care of the environment for instance through recycling of materials, conservation of water through irrigation schemes and the adoption of the ISO 14000 in its procedures and have already laid plans for the adoption of the practices.
Encouragement of companies to take the lead in conservation of the environment and adoption of the ISO 14000 to guide them is, therefore, a positive step that will ensure that many organizations are interested in the same hence making the world a better place to live in due to the enhanced quality.
Some of the ways of encouraging companies to take the lead could be the provision of incentive to a number of them to assist them carry out the practices, for example, to help them streamline their activities and qualify for the registration with an ISO certification organization. Another way is the utilization of the companies in the campaigns for the conservation of the environment among other organizations through showing them the benefits they have enjoyed as a result of adopting environmental friendly operations.
This will make other companies have the urge to also benefit from being involved in environmental friendly operations for they will now be conversant with the accrued benefits having seen it work in other companies.
Tax concession entails the complete or partial exemptions from payment of taxes. Going green is a very essential aspect and I would support the idea of tax concession that is aimed at helping organizations and companies go green. Going green is, however, a personal decision that is taken by individuals and organizations in their decision to make their business better for the environment although some incentives like the tax concession would act as a motivational factor.
I support this effort since it is associated with financial advantages to the companies involved and helps them facilitate the activities that entail going green. It is usually very expensive, especially during the initial stages of introducing this aspect and some tax concession would play a great part in making the option viable to many companies that may be evading the step mainly due to the expenses involved.
The benefits accrued to the companies and organizations going green are far much greater than the revenue that could be collected from the taxes and so the tax concession on companies for the sake of going green is very justifiable. Every step that is aimed at conserving the environment should always be encouraged no matter the cost to be incurred as the benefits always surpass the costs at the present time and also the future generations to come.
Work Cited
Nickels, G. William, McHugh James, Cossa Rita and McHugh Susan. Understanding Canadian Business. 5th Ed. USA: McGraw-Hill Ryerson limited, 2005.