Fontijne Presses has recently obtained ISO 14001 certification alongside its renewed ISO 9001 quality management certification. This certification is a significant recognition of our commitment over the past year to enhance sustainability and make our processes more environmentally friendly.
With the ISO 14001 certification, Fontijne Presses demonstrates a structured approach to improving its environmental performance. The purpose of ISO 14001:2015 is to drive continuous improvement in environmental and sustainable business practices. This involves reviewing current environmental policies, identifying relevant environmental impacts influenced by the organization, and implementing measures to control or reduce these impacts.
Marcia Konings, Sales Manager at TÜV Nord Nederland and Jeroen Moerman, Managing Director at Fontijne Presses
Why ISO 14001?
Jeroen Moerman, Managing Director at Fontijne Presses, explains why they pursued the ISO 14001 certification: “I’ve wanted ISO 14001 for Fontijne Presses for a long time because I truly believe in it. I believe this is the future, and that every company, large or small, will eventually need to take responsibility for its environmental impact and make real changes. For us, this certification is the ultimate evidence that we are dedicated to responsible environmental management and sustainable business operations.”
Our presses are designed and built to require less energy, which many companies and multinationals appreciate for the impact on their lab power consumption and accountability.
Jeroen began by reviewing relevant European legislation and developed a dashboard to track their electricity, gas, water consumption, and CO2 emissions. After taking these initial steps, Fontijne Presses collaborated with their trusted ISO certification partners, Danny Ritzky and Henk Jan Schuiteman from Ritzky Organisatieadvies to refine the full implementation process before applying for ISO 14001 certification through TÜV Nord Nederland.
Fontijne Presses had to show, starting from a baseline measurement, that we had established an environmental management system with measurable goals and action plans to meet the targets. This enabled Fontijne Presses to underscore its commitment to achieving its environmental objectives.
ISO 14001: more than a certification, it’s a mindset
Henk Jan Schuiteman from Ritzky Organisatieadvies describes the collaboration with Fontijne Presses: “Jeroen had already set up many elements himself, including a comprehensive dashboard, before reaching out to us for guidance and advice in pursuing ISO 14001. He needed very little from us because he knew exactly where he wanted to take his company. That, to me, was the most rewarding part of our collaboration – Jeroen knew precisely what he wanted to accomplish and how to get there. That’s what you hope for with any client.”
Henk Jan adds further insight into the certification process: “You start by setting SMART goals, like reducing CO2 emissions and energy consumption on an annual basis. Then you create a plan with the actions and investments needed to reach these goals. I was truly impressed to see that Fontijne Presses was fully committed to this approach and to the plan to obtain ISO 14001.”
ISO 14001 is not easy to obtain; it is an intensive and demanding process.
After implementing a dashboard as an environmental management system, Fontijne Presses observed clear improvements in managing their environmental impact, understanding environmental regulations, and compliance.
There were also enhancements in process efficiency and environmental awareness among employees, who are encouraged to make responsible choices, like reducing car use in favor of biking or public transportation, and even receiving guidance on energy-saving measures for home use—whether selecting efficient thermostatic taps or choosing A-label appliances over cheaper alternatives. This mindset is actively promoted and practiced within Fontijne Presses.
Examples of achieved goals
- Reduced gas consumption by 70%: from four boilers to one to lower CO2 emissions
- Sustainable energy: installation of more than 100 solar panels on the roof
- Building improvements, such as double glazing in the production area
- Inventory and reduction of hazardous substances
- Local sourcing of components to reduce environmental impact
This marks just the beginning
Jeroen Moerman shares insights on the certification process alongside the next steps: “You always start with a baseline measurement, then set goals and assign scores, and then you create a plan to achieve those goals. Each year, you strive to improve these scores. That’s what makes continuous improvement so important in the certification process.
It’s an ongoing journey – you’re never finished; you always want to keep improving, so you keep going.”
What is the difference between ISO 9001 and ISO 14001?
ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 are both international standards, but they focus on different aspects of business management.
ISO 9001 is about quality management, helping organizations improve customer satisfaction by streamlining processes and ensuring product and service quality.
ISO 14001, on the other hand, focuses on environmental management, helping organizations reduce their environmental impact through environmental policy setting, goal setting, and fostering sustainable business practices.