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In November, besides extending its ISO 9001 certificate for quality management, Damen Schelde Marine Services (DSMS) and Maritime Logistics (ML) also obtained ISO 14001 certification for environmental management. And the latter is a special achievement, as it is the first time the companies have been awarded this certificate.
DSMS and ML have already been recognised since 2007 for excellent quality management, which the ISO 9001 certificate represents. The first steps in making work processes more sustainable were taken years ago. Sustainable production, the use of sustainable packaging materials and the controlled disposal of waste streams has its full attention. “By contrast, achieving ISO 14001 for environmental management was still a surprise,” says Diana Ponirou, Sustainabillity Manager at DSMS. “We applied for an audit for this ISO standard for the first time this year; we are proud to be compliant right away.”
Diana added: “The foundation has been laid, but it doesn’t stop here. We want to continuously improve processes and continue to create awareness of sustainability at DSMS and ML. This starts at the source. Our buyers ask our suppliers at home and abroad to pay attention to environmental aspects of production, packaging and transport. We aim for a chain of suppliers and transporters that all have ISO 9001 certification as well as ISO 14001.”
From left: Wesley Kemp of EBN Certification, HSEQ Manager Peter Koole DSMS and Sustainabillity Manager Diana Ponirou of Damen Schelde Marine Services / Maritime Logistics and Ricardo Scheele of VGMK Adviesgroep.
DSMS and ML underwent an external audit earlier this year where they were checked for compliance for ISO 9001 and 14001 standards. The audit was conducted by accreditation company EBN Certification. DSMS and ML were accompanied during the process by VGMK Advisory Group. The results were overwhelmingly positive and the company heard that they were awarded the certificates in November.
Achieving both ISO certifications is a crowning achievement for the hard work of the DSMS and ML team, said Peter Koole, HSEQ Manager at DSMS and ML. “It is not only a boost for the company, the certification is also important towards customers. It is increasingly common that customers only want to do business if you can provide certain ISO certifications.”