Bl. Rose, ISO-14000 - WHAT IS IT AND WHAT IS ITS IMPACT ON THE LEATHER-INDUSTRY, The Journal of the American Leather Chemists Association, 91(12), 1996, pp. 334-338
Many U. S. companies have made the effort to promote and self-proclaim
conformance to ISO 9000, the series of quality standards established
by the international Organization for Standardization (Geneva, Switzer
land). It is common to read that a company is ISO 9001 certified. Qual
ity standards (ISO 9000) are not the same as ISO 14000 environmental s
tandards, The following attempts to clarify and describe what the envi
ronmental standards are. what they mean for the leather industry, and
what they can do for companies that implement them, A summary of the g
uidance standards will be outlined and presented. The basic questions
of interest to industry are addressed. These include: 1. What is the c
ost benefit of ISO 14 000? 2. What is the effect on overseas operation
s? 3. Will the standards improve environmental compliance or minimize
regulatory impact of non-compliance?