FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1997-04-08

Standards Council accredits first environmental management registrar

The Standards Council of Canada has accredited the Quality Management Institute (QMI) to register organizations to the requirements of ISO 14001 - the international standard dealing with environmental management systems. Mississauga-based QMI, a division of the Canadian Standards Association, is the first Canadian registrar to receive the new accreditation.

ISO 14001, Environmental management systems - specifications with guidance for use, was developed by environmental stakeholders from some 70 countries taking part in a technical committee of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

The voluntary consensus standard describes the administrative elements that must be in place so that an organization can effectively manage its impact on the environment. The standard, part of a larger collection known as the ISO 14000 series, is applicable to organizations of any size, operating in any sector.

Registration is a means of demonstrating to clients, the courts, the public, regulators and other interested parties that an environmental management system conforms to ISO 14001. The Standards Council's accreditation program for ISO 14001 registrars is intended to enhance national and international confidence in Canadian registrations.

To become accredited, a registrar must meet the requirements of Standards Council criteria published in CAN-P 14, Criteria and Procedures for Accreditation of Organizations Registering Environmental Management Systems. Requirements relate to such issues as qualified staff, quality system, proper record keeping and freedom from conflicts of interest.

QMI's accreditation follows more than six months of assessment by the Standards Council. "We are very pleased to be the first Standards Council-accredited registrar for ISO 14001," said Diane Pryde, the director of marketing, sales and communications for QMI. "It will enhance our services to clients, allowing us to fulfill their needs and assist them to do business on a global basis".

In addition to QMI, three other organizations have thus far applied for Standards Council accreditation as ISO 14001 registrars.

The Standards Council of Canada is a Crown corporation with the mandate to promote efficient and effective standardization. For more information on the accreditation program, contact Don Wilson, deputy director, standardization, Standards Council of Canada, (613) 238-3222; (613) 995-4564; e-mail [email protected].

- 30 -