ISO 14001 – Environmental system

The environmental system addresses risks and builds a better tomorrow.

Environmental aspects are highly visible both in the media and in the daily operations of companies. The implementation of the EU Corporate Sustainability of Due Diligence and Corporate Accountability Directive raises the bar for all industrial operators. “Although, by its size, SP Stainless does not fall directly within the scope of the directive, it is important for us to serve our customers and to be ahead in this matter,” says CEO Arto Koljonen.

The environmental work began by improving our understanding of the current situation and setting clear goals. The system was developed in collaboration with Talentree as part of the existing system. “We want the implementation of the system to be more than just documentation; every member of the workforce can contribute to its effectiveness in their own work,” says HR Manager Krista Kuosmanen. “We have examined the effectiveness of our operating system in general and in the future, we aim to further enhance its impact on various areas,” Kuosmanen continues.

The impacts of our own operations

SP Stainless has been actively involved in collaboration with Savonia University of Applied Sciences. Currently, SP Stainless Oy is participating in projects such as Bio- and Circular Economy project, where insights into carbon footprint calculation are being gathered under the guidance of experts. Our goal is to calculate our carbon footprint for the previous year using two methods and to implement the carbon footprint calculation feature available in Monitor ERP during this year,” says Development Engineer Hannele Ranta. “SP Stainless initially focuses on increasing understanding and expertise, after which improvements are made step by step towards a better future.

The risks and opportunities identified in environmental work guide decisions and increase occupational safety. Environmental work is never solely about the environment but primarily affects people. The occupational health and safety management system ISO 45001, implemented in 2022, has already initiated environmental work. “While attention has always been paid to chemical safety, the system has also enhanced the work of the occupational safety committee, increasing awareness of the risks associated with chemicals. Bringing the environmental perspective into this context was a smoother process than we had expected,” says Ranta.

In the initial stages, there won’t be significant changes to operations, but over time, processes will evolve, and understanding will increase. “We aim to find ways to report our environmental impacts to key stakeholders,” explains Koljonen. “We have audited our own suppliers regarding environmental aspects, so we understand the level of their operations. Above all, we want to collaborate with both our own supply chain and our customers in the areas of environment, safety, and quality,” summarizes Koljonen.

SP Stainless has been granted the ISO 14001 certification in April 2024. The audit was conducted, and the certification was granted by Kiwa Inspecta.

Explore the company’s operational policy here.

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