Joint certification for RMC Aggregates

RMC Aggregates (South West) Ltd have achieved joint certification for environmental and quality management standards through ISO 14001 and 9002.

"By integrating the requirements of both standards into one management system, the company say they have saved both time and money. RMC Aggregates (South West) now intend to extend this during 2001 to create a company-wide integrated system operating on a multi-site basis for all six of their operating sites."

"According to Simon Turner, technical services manager (quality management), RMC identified the common requirements of the two standards and now have an integrated national template for use throughout the whole RMC Aggregates division. Over 70 sites are registered under the ISO 9002 quality standard and this integrated package will make moving towards ISO 14001 registration for environmental management an easier step."

"Wickwar Quarry in south Gloucestershire was used as the pilot site for the project, which involved two site visits and a final all-day audit. RMC found that the existing quality management system already covered around 80% of the requirements of ISO 14001."

"‘It was a relatively small step to include the outstanding elements into the system,’ said Mr Turner. ‘We were also able to incorporate some of the requirements of newly released ISO 9001:2000 at an early stage. This will make the eventual switch to the new quality standard a much simpler operation. As a result of this trial we can roll out a computerized manual across the other five RMC sites in the South-West by following the same procedures.’"

"RMC are also looking ahead to future changes in international standards. By creating a manual that combines the ISO 14001 and 9002 standards, the company say they have paved the way for the future inclusion of the OHSAS 18001 health and safety standard."

"‘Why have separate manuals for different ISO and quality management standards,’ said UK environment manager Tim Pinder. ‘It’s all about not having to reinvent the wheel, and obviously that saves time and money.’"