Severn Trent Laboratories’ (STL) Midlands laboratory has successfully been certified as meeting the requirements of ISO 14001:2004. The laboratory effectively demonstrates compliance with the standard for the Provision of Environmental Analytical Services, as a
result, all four of STL’s key operating laboratories are now recognised as complying with ISO 14001:2004.
To meet the requirements of the standard, STL had to focus on identifying the impact of their Midlands laboratory on the environment, minimising emissions to air, water and land. The company had to conduct a detailed review of the laboratory’s waste streams, identifying opportunities for re-use and recycling, and considering the impact on the local surroundings.
An environmental implementation team was responsible for ensuring compliance with the Environmental Management System specification, reviewing a wide range of environmental aspects and impacts. The team has introduced a programme of objectives and targets to address any outstanding environmental
issues, which will be tackled in the near future. Every member of staff on site was actively engaged in showing compliance with the standard, which was completed after an external audit by SGS Yarsley, with each of them taking part in environmental awareness training since the beginning of the year. Gaining ISO
14001:2004 certification at STL Midlands demonstrates STL’s ongoing commitment to minimising their environmental impact.