Renault announced earlier this month that every vehicle with the ‘Renault eco²’ name will have been manufactured in an ISO 14001 certified site.  At the end of 2006, 90% of production was completed in a total of 39 sites that had been ISO 14001 certified.  Once the remaining plants in Moscow and Morocco have completed the certification process by early 2008, all of the group’s industrial manufacturing plants will be ISO 14001 compliant.

Renault confirmed that many savings have already been made including

·         25% of energy consumption (kW/vehicle),

·         57% of water consumption (m3/vehicle),

·         65% of waste (kg/vehicle),

·         38% of volatile organic compounds (kg/vehicle),

·         44% of toxic waste discharged into water.

As suppliers contribute 80% of total manufacturing costs of each vehicle they too will have to be committed to obtaining ISO 14001. 

The future – what it could mean for you

It makes sense to start planning your environmental management systems now so that you are not left behind by your competitors.