About ISO 14001 Certification

ISO 14001 Certification
 
• ZiLOG Takes Aggressive Stand in Meeting Customer Requirements for Lead Free Products
WHAT'S ALL THIS TALK ABOUT ISO 14001?
What does ISO 14001 have to do with ZiLOG?

ZiLOG's Nampa Manufacturing Facility was recently registered to the ISO 14001 Environmental Standard. This process began in May of 1998 when the decision was made to pursue ISO 14001 registration in Nampa. Shortly after the "core team" was identified and began work on the project. This team consisted of representatives from a several departments who took the challenge to obtain ISO registration on an extremely fast track schedule.

During the next seven months this group spearheaded an effort to fully understand the ISO 14001 requirements and design changes to Nampa's existing programs, procedures and processes. These changes not only had to make Nampa fully compliant with ISO 14001 requirements but also had to bring additional value to our existing environmental programs. ZiLOG applied for registration in December of 1998 and completed both the preliminary and final audits in February 1999. ZiLOG received official notification of its registration in March 1999, only 10 months after the decision to proceed was made.

Who is ISO? TOP
The Organization de Standards International, now referred to as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), was founded more than 50 years ago in 1947. ISO first established standards for a wide range of products and management operations. More recently, ISO established its most widely recognized and highly successful ISO 9000 Standards for quality management. In September of 1996, IS0 14001 standards for environmental management systems were finalized.

What is ISO 14001? TOP
Unlike regulations or laws that stipulate specific performance levels, technologies, or methods; ISO 14001 requires companies to create a system that integrates environmental considerations into every level of the company. This is accomplished by implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS). Even though the focus of ISO 14001 is the establishment of an EMS and not specific performance levels, the outcome of having a strong EMS is improved environmental performance.

What does ISO 14001 require? TOP
ISO 14001 requires companies to create and implement an EMS. The EMS must address all of the following elements:

• Environmental Policy:
This is a statement from top managment that identifies the organizations commitment to continual improvement, prevention of pollution,
and a commitment to comply with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations. Please see ZiLOG's environmental policy.

• Planning:
Companies are required to identify ways in which they impact and interact with the environment and identify goals for improvement.
In addition, companies need to identify all environmentally related legal requirements.

• Implementation and Operation:
Documented procedures must be in place to control and monitor all of the ways in which the company impacts and interacts with the
environment, including emergency preparedness and response. This includes an assurance that employees are trained and competent
in their jobs that may interact with the environment.

• Checking and Corrective Action:
Documented procedures that monitor and measure key characteristics of operations and activities that may impact the environment
must be specified.

• Management Review: Requires top management to actively participate in reviewing the EMS.

In a nutshell, ISO 14001 requires companies to develop and document a method for identifying, controlling, monitoring, and reviewing the ways in which the company potentially or actually interacts with the environment. And just like ISO 9000, ISO14001 requires companies to "do what you say and say what you do."

Why does ZiLOG care? TOP
The simple answer to why does ZiLOG care is: because it's the right thing to do. However, if you are the type of individual who needs specifics, let's look at some of the benefits:

International Recognition:
ISO is an international organization, and conformance to ISO 14001 is acknowledged worldwide.

Marketing Tool:
Many organizations are beginning to inquire about the environmental responsibility of companies that they conduct business with.
As a registered ISO 14001 company, ZiLOG can assure our business partners that we are responsible corporate citizens.

Improved Environmental Performance:
By developing an environmental management system, ZiLOG is able to improve its performancebecause the system forces us to
systematically and routinely review how things are done.

Helps to Ensure Regulatory Compliance:
Because the EMS is continually reviewed and updated, it helps ZiLOG stay on top of ever changing environmental regulations.

Benefits the Environment:
One aspect of ISO 14001 requires companies to set environmental objectives and targets for improvement. Some of the objectives and
targets that ZiLOG has chosen will have a positive impact on the environment by reducing the amount of pollutants generated, and by
reducing the amount of natural resources consumed.

Validates What We've Always Known:
ZiLOG's past environmental record has been very good. In fact, it's been great. Unfortunately most people who get their information from
the media wouldn't know that. By becoming ISO 14001 registered, ZiLOG is able to show the world what we've know all along; the health
and safety of our employees, and the proper care of our environment, are of paramount importance

Where Can I Get Additional Information? TOP
If you would like additional information about ISO 14001 or ZiLOG's Environmental Management System, or if you have any comments, please feel free to use ZiLOG's EHS email address:mailto:ehs@zilog.com
You can also get additional information about ISO 14000 by checking out ISO's home page at http://www.iso.ch/

  
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