INITIATIVE | 022 At Shaw, we're putting in place the operational strategies that ensure sustainability in practice. We're constantly testing ourselves to make sure we continue to meet the high standards we've set. Part of that is achieving third-party certification – validation of our commitment to high performance in operations.
Shaw Industries' carpet tile manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Georgia recently received ISO 14001 certification. ISO 14001 is a third party certification that accredits an operation's Environmental Management System (EMS). The ISO 14001 recognition reflects Shaw's continued commitment to environmental excellence in all its operations. The general requirements of the ISO 14001 certification state that an organization must establish, document, implement and continually improve their Environmental Management System.
ISO 14001 certification validates Shaw's own Environmental Management System called the Shaw Environmental System (SES), which applies the success of Shaw's operational management strategies used in its quality and safety programs to identify and adopt environmental improvements. SES focuses on environmental aspects and impacts including water, energy and waste, and is closely modeled after requirements contained in ISO 14001. The strength of the SES is contained in its additional provisions that specifically address environmental considerations relevant to carpet manufacturing facilities. By January 2007, the SES system will certify, or have scheduled to certify, 52 Shaw carpet and fiber manufacturing plants, including all commercial plants.
"The Shaw Environmental System is a stringent EMS that incorporates the international ISO 14001 standard," says Rudy Wofford, Quality Manager at Shaw Industries' Contract Division. "Shaw is a corporate citizen that takes its responsibility to the environment seriously. The additional ISO 14001 certification of our carpet tile manufacturing plant is another step forward towards Shaw's Cradle to Cradle vision for the future."
The Shaw SES is self-certified through Shaw auditors. All ISO certifications are conducted using external auditors. In accordance with the ISO 14001 standards, Shaw's certified facility will receive biannual external surveillance audits. Any discrepancies that Shaw receives must be addressed in a limited time frame to remain ISO 14001 certified. In addition to the biannual audits, Shaw will receive a full external recertification audit at the end of three years.
By continually measuring ourselves against a third-party standard, we maintain a minimum level of compliance. Shaw is committed to that, and much more. Our own Environmental System (SES) works to make more specific and stringent that standard measure, and guarantees compliance above and beyond. That's the Shaw Green Edge.
