by Art Jones
It's becoming almost standard practice for forest companies, anxious to demonstrate their environmental responsibility to customers and the public, to gain independent certification that their operations meet environmental standards. But for the government agencies regulating them, it's almost unheard of - until recently, when Saskatchewan Environment's forestry program did just that.
In the fall of 2003, the provincial forestry program, following a rigorous independent audit conducted by KPMG Performance Registrar Inc., became the first province-wide government program to achieve certification under the ISO 14001 standard. More than a year and two check-up audits later, Al Willcocks, of Saskatchewan Environment's Forest Service, says that the standard has enabled the program to improve its environmental performance, while remaining fully accountable for its results. But initially, there were some sceptics.
"When we started down the road toward certification, there were some who doubted the standard could be applied to a government program," says Willcocks. "What we have found in the last couple of years is that the system is actually a really good fit for the kinds of activities we're involved in, both as regulators and as forest managers. We were one of the first to go this way, but we certainly won't be the last."
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems, originating with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is a voluntary program used by organizations to track the impact their activities have on the environment.
Saskatchewan Environment Forest Service staff use its Environmental Management System to establish goals, assign responsibility for achieving them and document and report on progress. An important part of the system is a commitment to continuous improvement. The ISO 14001 standard requires regular, independent audits in order to maintain registration. Getting and maintaining certification hasn't been easy, but Willcocks says it has been worth it.
"The system works well, for us and for our clients," says Willcocks. "It provides consistency and improves communication, helping all our staff to work together more efficiently. It also helps forest companies pursuing their own certification initiatives. As regulators, we play a significant part in their business. On the international scene, the transparency and accountability built in to the system makes it much easier to provide the documentation we need as we work with other provinces to resolve the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute."
Most of all, Saskatchewan Environment's forestry program's certification is a concrete demonstration of the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship and protection.
"That's really what it's all about," says Environment's Willcocks. "We are, after all, an environmental organization, first and foremost. Minimizing the environmental impact of our own activities, or those we regulate, is atthe core of what we do."
For more information, contact:
Al Willcocks
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Environment
Forest Service
Phone: (306) 953-2486
awillcocks@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
It's becoming almost standard practice for forest companies, anxious to demonstrate their environmental responsibility to customers and the public, to gain independent certification that their operations meet environmental standards. But for the government agencies regulating them, it's almost unheard of - until recently, when Saskatchewan Environment's forestry program did just that.
In the fall of 2003, the provincial forestry program, following a rigorous independent audit conducted by KPMG Performance Registrar Inc., became the first province-wide government program to achieve certification under the ISO 14001 standard. More than a year and two check-up audits later, Al Willcocks, of Saskatchewan Environment's Forest Service, says that the standard has enabled the program to improve its environmental performance, while remaining fully accountable for its results. But initially, there were some sceptics.
"When we started down the road toward certification, there were some who doubted the standard could be applied to a government program," says Willcocks. "What we have found in the last couple of years is that the system is actually a really good fit for the kinds of activities we're involved in, both as regulators and as forest managers. We were one of the first to go this way, but we certainly won't be the last."
ISO 14001 is the internationally recognized standard for Environmental Management Systems, originating with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It is a voluntary program used by organizations to track the impact their activities have on the environment.
Saskatchewan Environment Forest Service staff use its Environmental Management System to establish goals, assign responsibility for achieving them and document and report on progress. An important part of the system is a commitment to continuous improvement. The ISO 14001 standard requires regular, independent audits in order to maintain registration. Getting and maintaining certification hasn't been easy, but Willcocks says it has been worth it.
"The system works well, for us and for our clients," says Willcocks. "It provides consistency and improves communication, helping all our staff to work together more efficiently. It also helps forest companies pursuing their own certification initiatives. As regulators, we play a significant part in their business. On the international scene, the transparency and accountability built in to the system makes it much easier to provide the documentation we need as we work with other provinces to resolve the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute."
Most of all, Saskatchewan Environment's forestry program's certification is a concrete demonstration of the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship and protection.
"That's really what it's all about," says Environment's Willcocks. "We are, after all, an environmental organization, first and foremost. Minimizing the environmental impact of our own activities, or those we regulate, is atthe core of what we do."
For more information, contact:
Al Willcocks
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Environment
Forest Service
Phone: (306) 953-2486
awillcocks@serm.gov.sk.ca
Or
Art Jones
Communications Consultant
Saskatchewan Environment
(306) 787-5796
(306) 536-8452 (cell)
ajones@serm.gov.sk.ca
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