The road to ISO 14001

Just a certificate? No, ISO 14001 is definitely not just a certificate. With this certificate, Holbox shows what we have known for a long time: this is a company with an eye for the environment and sustainability. Now and in the future

Of course, not everyone gets such an internationally recognised stamp. Melanie van Bracht is the owner of SHE* Mel safety and environmental support and has gained a wealth of experience working for multinationals. She assists Holbox on the road to certification. “ISO 14001 is an initiative to reduce environmental damage caused by businesses and shows that you are trying to minimise your footprint.”

START AT THE BEGINNING

According to Melanie, sustainability goes much further than people think. “It’s more than complying with environmental legislation. For example, the environment in the chain such as transport of the products to the customer or the design of the display, but also less environmentrelated matters such as safety during work, work pressure and job satisfaction. The road to the label is therefore a road full of opportunities during which a company learns to rethink. And that rethinking sometimes requires creativity and thinking out of the box. And that’s where Holbox’s great strength lies.” A team has been put together to shape this management system, in which, in addition to Melanie and the MT, Raimond Paulus is an important driving force. A first step in the process is ensuring a good baseline measurement, so it becomes clear where opportunities and challenges lie. To achieve this, all kinds of tools and analyses are available, but they must be easy to read and workable. “For the stakeholder analysis, we made a flowchart that shows all process steps at a glance. If you know which steps there are and what they consist of, you can also look at what influences the environment and surroundings. This can be the use of raw materials, or electricity and waste flows. These are all things that we can look at critically and perhaps improve. The stakeholders themselves take up a central place in the analysis. These are the external factors that directly influence our raison d’être. Our customers, for example, or suppliers and local residents.” Raimond also sees opportunities outside the ISO certification. “This is the perfect time to think beyond ISO 14001. Efficiency can be achieved in various ways. And that can also generate commercial profit.”

MORE THAN JUST ISO

And that’s music to Raimond Paulus’ ears. “Melanie makes people and businesses aware of the effect of their behaviour on the environment and surroundings. I immerse myself in various budgets on a daily basis and prevent budget overruns. As a sustainable company, you also analyse the efficiency of your products and the associated efficiency of the business processes in relation to various environmental aspects. For me, the certificate is something that enables Holbox to distinguish itself in the market, something that the customer also asks for. In my 20 years at Holbox, I’ve already seen a lot of changes with regard to sustainability. Used inks, lacquers and glues are so much better for people and the environment these days, and cardboard is now made from more than 90-95% of recycled material. Holbox has always assumed a pioneering role in innovation and sustainable thinking and with this certificate, we’re capitalising on that role.” The team’s initial analyses did indeed reveal some of Holbox’s strengths. Melanie especially sees creativity as one of the great advantages of Holbox. “Many businesses I work with have a wait-and-see attitude. Holbox is different. You’re used to thinking differently and the company also controls the entire process, which means many factors can be influenced. The in-house design department allows immediate input into sustainable products such as grass paper, or displays that can be set up by the customer to reduce transport costs.”

INSPECTING THE INSPECTOR

And when all opportunities and challenges are clear, the work really begins. Because the entire process is of course monitored, says Melanie. “After implementation, we’re inspected by audit companies. In turn, they’re inspected by SCCM (SCCM collaborates with the industrial sector, government authorities, certification bodies and other interested parties to create a transparent and respected certificate of compliance with the ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 50001 (energy), OHSAS 18001 (occupational health and safety) standards and the EMAS environmental regulation). But ultimately, it’s about the people on the shop floor doing it themselves. You can document everything, but it won’t work if it’s not supported in the workplace. Moreover, employees often already have very good and practical ideas for optimising a work process. It’s a process of the entire chain that doesn’t stop at the factory alone. It may seem rather extensive, but that’s exactly where its strength lies. And I’m sure Holbox can also carry this load well.” 

THE FOUR BIGGEST ADVANTAGES OF AN ISO 14001 CERTIFICATE:

1. Greater certainty

2. Credible image

3. More chance of tenders

4. Continuous improvement of environmental performance