Why is the topic “Our green side” so important?
Griebe: Our customers are paying more and more at- tention to the environmental impact of products and the issue of sustainability. Demands on companies for environmentally friendly production are on the rise. Issues regarding waste disposal – not only of our production waste but also of our sanitary products – and the handling of potentially dangerous materials are under a lot of discussion. This all means that the envi- ronmental impact of a product will be scrutinized and questioned right from the outset - from the extraction of raw materials to the production process to the products use and subsequently to its disposal.
How does Duravit react to the higher demand for product-related environment information and sustainability?
Griebe: Sustainability means not only fulfilling ecological but also economical and social expectations. Duravit is currently introducing an environmental management system in Hornberg. In particular this means achieving ISO 14001 certification. This international standard is a tool which is used to establish and evaluate environmental effects.
What can be understood about the ISO 14001 certification?
Griebe: The ISO 14001 is a process which supports us in the initial establishment and constant optimisation of an environmental management system. This process takes place in different phases. First an appraisal is done. When you are able to ascertain which of the numerous and complex laws are applicable to your company and which environmentally hazardous materials are being used. When many, many details have been compiled, targets can be set and a programme to reach these targets can be adopted. Here we are dealing with clear, context-related guidelines. Of course, the grown company culture must also be taken into consideration. A documentation system must then be created and employees must be trained but also actively engaged in the process. When all these prerequisites have been fulfilled, the listed measures will go into effect. An internal audit, the so-called dress rehearsal, is followed by official certification. Commitment to sustainability is also part of this: Duravit pursues an environmental policy which stipulates and secures basic principles.
A long road. Where is Duravit at the moment?
Griebe: The internal audit has already taken place at Hornberg. Now the weak points must be rectified before certification is conducted by an independent, external expert. That’s only the beginning of a continual examination and optimisation procedure for our environmental management system. Our Chinese plant has already been granted certification. Every year other plants will be continually added to this list.
Which departments are affected by this environmental policy?
Griebe: All of them. It concerns work security and risk management of production plants and procedures. In this context it also affects incoming raw materials, service providers and water and energy sources. To that effect emissions, sewerage and waste are also affected. Ultimately it is the market that sells the products. Dialogue with customers, authorities, the neighbourhood and the general public also influences this. And an environmental policy is only successful if all employees are responsible for it and share this experience.
What advantages does the ISO have in respect of fulfilling customer requirements?
Griebe: Orientating ourselves to customer requirements assures our market position and helps create a positive image. But we as a company can also benefit from it. Waste amounts are ascertained, evaluated and can be optimised as such. The same applies to energy and water usage, and new alternatives can be examined. Once usage has been determined, it can be used for benchmarking purposes and serves as a reference point for comparisons. The fact that the amount and type of potentially hazardous materials are reduced is also of benefit to our employees. By means of additional training and safer handling guidelines accidents shall be avoided. Regarding responsible actions, competencies shall be clearly stipulated within the certification framework. Legal compliance is also assured through cer- tification.