Certification and operational performance of ISO 14001

Abstract

To cope with the globalization and diversification of the environmental issues, Hachinohe Mill has operated the environmental management system (EMS) conformable to ISO 14001 since April 1998, and then was allowed to be the first Japanese integrated mill of pulp and paper that gained the certification of ISO 14001. The preparation for the requirement specified in the International Standard was set up, Hachinohe Mill was inspected by Japan Management Association in October 1998 and certified on ISO 14001 in November 1998. The EMS has been running smoothly since it was started. However some parts of the EMS should be improved. Making the EMS streamlined and easy to use is the major undertaking in the near future.