Standards designate how a company or organization functions and that is what the foundation

is built on. These standards outline the quality, management systems, safety precautions,
operations, and performance standards. Standards provide a way to measure and evaluate
these outlines. There are multiple different standards that companies can choose to uphold and
stand on.

The ISO 14000 Family of Standards is a series of standards that were developed by the
International Organization for Standards (ISO) that helps organizations and companies plan,
implement, and evaluate policies that improve the impacts, processes, and effects they have on
the environment. These standards were developed so that companies and organizations can
commit to acknowledging and adhering to their environmental responsibilities to minimize the
negative effects as far as emissions that are bad for the planet and also, preserve or conserve
the earth’s precious natural resources. When you look at the ISO 14000 Family Standard
compared to the other certifications that are available such as the Occupational Safety and
Health Certificate or the Public Sector Safety and Health Fundamentals Certificate, the ISO
Family of Standards is a golden standard among competitors because there are so many
different standards that you can choose to get certified in.

Companies and organizations seek to obtain a ISO 14000 certification because it gives the
perception that they are looking to “go green” and it also sets them apart from other
companies. Adopting these standards into their organization naturally reduces the amount of
waste that organizations produce, while the processing of said waste will also be reduced. This
leads to an increase of efficient work by employees and efficient use of the employers'
resources.

One company that is 14000 certified is Lucideon Assurance. The unique ISO 14000 Family
Standard that this company follows is 14001. “The standard provides a framework and
guidance on the management of the environmental aspects and risk of business activities.
Allowing you to work to continually improve your processes to both reduce environmental
impact and increase profitability (Lucideon Assurance (CICS Limited) Profile, n.d.).” The ISO
14000 Family of Standards is a collaboratively agreed-upon standard that sets the tone for an
environmental management system (EMS). An environmental management system should
establish a comprehensive environmental protection policy, provide good resources to ensure
that performance benchmarks can be achieved on a continual basis, incorporate environmental
concerns in all levels of organizational planning, including strategic, operational, and procedural
and identify all government regulations and requirements that apply to the organization’s
processes, products, or services etc (Goetsch, 2015). The benefits of an environmental
management system include ease of trade, credibility, and profit.

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Lucideon Assurance chose to get a ISO 14000 certification so that they can “offer independent
verification of greenhouse gas or carbon emissions for both voluntary and mandatory reporting
schemes… (Health & Safety, n.d.)” Following these standards guides and allows the company to
increase profits and reduce the environmental impact and using environmental management
systems (EMS) are good for business.

Having an ISO 14001 certification proves that the company takes a responsible approach to
improving the environment and can persuade potential customers to use their company and
can sway potential traffic that could come the company's way. It can also persuade potential
buyers’ decision to do business with Lucideon Assurance. It can push people their way if they
are environmentally friendly and want to go into business with companies that share the same
environmental values. Having a 14001 certification can place you higher in competition with
other companies or organizations. “An EMS can help you recycle waste more efficiently and
improve raw waste more efficiently and improve raw materials selection – which helps to
reduce cost (Health & Safety, n.d.)” This ultimately helps companies be more labor efficient,
cost effective, and aligns with the missions of the business and organization. Lucideon
Assurance is also ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 50001 certified.

The ISO 9001 certification has a recognized standard for quality assurance and management.
There is a system in place for quality management which then equals increased customer
satisfaction. Lucideon Assurance is focused on continuously improving. They continuously
monitor and improve processes to increase reliability and performance for the best results.

The ISO 45001 certification has a recognized standard of complying with occupational health
and safety management which protects the company's labor and workforce, and also reduces
risk. “…showing that you comply with a recognized health and safety standard by running an
efficient health safety management system.” This not only shows commitment to wanting to
reduce risks and identify potential hazards but also proves credibility as an employee-focused
and responsible business. The benefits of being ISO 45001 certified is that it identifies and
controls health and safety risk, reduces the potential for accidents, improve operational
effectiveness and performance, and also reduces cost as there will be less damage to the
equipment and the employees which will reduce the cost and the number of insurance
premiums.

The ISO 50001 certification has a recognized standard that ensures energy management.
Lucideon Assurance monitors, reduces, and saves energy consumption in the aspect of
electricity, gas, and oil. There are many environmental benefits of being ISO 50001 certified
such as promising to reduce carbon emissions and limiting environmental impact. It is a
“structured approach to energy engaging employees, leading to better energy efficiency
(Health & Safety, n.d.).” This certification integrates coherently with ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and
45001.

I am in my senior year and knowing that I will graduate soon and will be entering the workforce,
a company that I would not mind working for is FMI recycling. FMI Recycling specializes in not
only recycling but the recycling of electronics, equipment, and remarketing. This company is
based in Dallas, Texas, and was established in 1984. Their mission statement is “to provide you
with your best solutions for environmental responsibility, strategic options for the best financial
return, and most of all, personal service (FMI Recycling, n.d.)” This is interesting because it
results in customer satisfaction which will have a high value of return. This goes hand and hand
with adhering to today’s environmental concerns, meeting companies’ goals, and exceeding
safety expectations.

FMI Recycling is ISO 14001 certified in an effort to manage its environmental responsibilities,
and ISO 45001 certified for management systems of occupational health and safety cautions. I
see the ISO 14001 certification as the most beneficial because it shows everyone internal
employees and external stakeholders that FMI Recycling is aware and cautious about their
environmental impact and that it is being measured and managed diligently. “ISO 14001
provides requirements with guidance for use that relate to environmental systems. Other
standards in the family of standards focus on specific approaches such as audits,
communications, labeling and life cycle analysis, as well as environmental challenges such as
climate change.” Ultimately this helps companies and organizations to constantly improve their
processes, stay compliant with environmental laws and regulations, and minimize their effect
on the environment.

As a public health student and future public health employee, I am able to be versatile in many
different roles. Positions such as a logisticians, which include a person that conducts logistics, or
an employee compliance specialist, ensure that workers are trained, and equipment is
practiced on in order to train to emulate real work experiences. This prepares employees for
unexpected situations while ensuring that workers are fully equipped with specific knowledge
to keep everyone safe, follow regulations, and maintain quality standards. This not only
protects the company’s reputation but shows consumer care and creates better relationships
with both potential employees and customers. With a strong culture in employee and safety
management, employees are more comfortable in completing their jobs and strive for
excellence.

Every company should have a standard that they look forward to upholding. The ISO Family of
Standards should be a worldwide recognized custom. When companies and organizations
promote good practices at work, and in health it can promote the efforts taken to reduce
environmental impact and also reduce safety risks by taking responsibility for both workplace
safety and environmental safety. Standards elevate a company or organization's whole way of
running and measuring their processes.
 References
FMI Recycling / Dallas Electronic Recycling Center. (n.d.). [Link]

Goetsch, D. L. (2015). Occupational Safety and health for Technologists, engineers, and
managers. Pearson.

Health & Safety OSHAS 18001 / ISO 45001 Certification I Lucideon.