Northern Rail Achieves Environmental First
ISO 14001:2015, which has been launched today, sets out the framework for effective environmental management systems.
Northern Rail's early certification to the new standard recognises the company’s trailblazing work to integrate sound environmental practices across its entire business operations.
The new ISO 14001 standard places greater emphasis on how a business integrates environmental work into core business processes. It also places an extra focus on environmental leadership from top management and business-wide communication. Northern’s ISO 14001:2015 assessment was carried out by NQA, who are currently offering a whole raft of free support to help clients and others through the changes to ISO 14001.
The Northern team, as a result of its long-term environmental strategy, was able to demonstrate how it had built environmental considerations into aspects of its work from personal objectives to overall business performance measures.
Alex Hynes, Managing Director for Northern Rail comments:
Northern is delighted to have achieved this standard. We’ve worked hard to embed a business wide strategy for environmental management; from managing our energy use to pollution prevention. Our approach enables us to address challenges collaboratively with our people, making sure we are all contributing to sustainable improvements in our environmental performance.
We are committed to ensuring Northern is at the heart of an environmentally responsible public transport network in the North. In addition to our environmental management and protection initiatives, we continue to grow our electric fleet. As we look ahead to the new Northern franchise in April next year we will continue to champion investment in new trains.
Matt Gantley, Managing Director for NQA, comments:
Northern Rail is the first in the world to achieve certification with NQA to the new ISO 14001:2015 standard. This achievement demonstrates exceptional corporate leadership. Northern’s customers can be more confident of choosing a service provider that protects and improves our environment.
As an ISO 14001 certified businesses Northern can better conserve or replenish the resources we need, for our economy to prosper in the future. Congratulations to all of Northern Rail’s people, for leading the way.
Other organisations looking to achieve compliance against the new 2015 version of ISO 14001, can visit www.nqa.com/changes to find gap guides, video briefings and free webinars and seminars to help you along your way.