Environmental Management ⁄ ISO 14001 in Printing Industry

Abstract

The practical use of environmental management system (EMS) in Japanese companies has shown a major progress in these 10 years. In 1990s, manufacturers started EMS (certified ISO14001) in a narrow scope, individual plant base without the comprehensive design. However, in 2000, top management realized that it was necessary to convert this small EMS into an integrated company-wide system in order to create an effective action for preventing pollution. Yet a new problem has appeared. Larger EMS tends to make individual employee's commitment to environment thinner. The printing industry has two characteristics on environmental aspect. One is a high potential of environment burden of plant to the community; another is a capacity to promote communication between clients and society on the importance of environment through printed media. Therefore, printing companies are now expected to provide "eco-solution" services that will lead to maximize corporate value of their clients.