Reference no: EM132994670

A hypothetical company located in the Asia Pacific region is an integrated wood industry company which manages over 800,000 hectares of natural forest and 50,000 hectares of industrial timber plantations. The company also has two plywood factories and two Medium Density Fibreboard factories with a total production capacity of 200,000m3 per year. It exports over 85% of its product to more than 15 countries in 5 continents.

Plywood production consists requires energy, water, and use of some industrial chemicals. The process produces emissions into water and air.
The company is aware that its operations have multiple social and environmental impacts, especially relating to forest preservation and air and water quality. The company decides to implement ISO 14001.

1. What gave rise to the development of environmental management systems (EMS)?

2. In your opinion, how should the company prioritise their key environmental issues?

3. What benefits could the company derive from certification under ISO 14001? Relate to the ISO certification of a wood-based company in a real world.

4. How meaningful is the adoption of a certification standard and who benefits?

Identify and describe the steps the company will have to take to be certified under ISO 14001?