ISO-14000 - WHAT IS IT AND WHAT IS ITS IMPACT ON THE LEATHER-INDUSTRY

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?