Environmental Management Essay Example

institutes in countries who also pay reduced membership fees (ISO, 2008).

The General Assembly consists of the Principal Officers and nominated delegates from member bodies. The Principal Officers, including the President, Vice Presidents (policy and technical management), Treasurer, and Secretary-General, play important roles in standardization. The Council, on the other hand, carries out governance functions based on member bodies' policies. It convenes biannually, ensuring fair representation of member body interests through rotating membership.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has several policy development committees that offer guidance for the creation of standards in different sectors. These committees include the Committee on Conformity Assessment (CASCO) for conformity assessment, the Committee on Consumer Policy (COPOLCO) for consumer policy, and DEVCO for developing country matters. All member bodies and correspondent members have the opportunity to participate in these committees. The Technical Management Board (TMB) is accountable to the Council and oversees the management of technical work. Member bodies can also be elected to serve on the TMB ("ISO", 2008).

According to Cross (2008), the ISO code of ethics is a statement of ethical priorities that guide the actions of member countries within the ISO. These priorities are summarized as follows:

1. ISO Stakeholders are committed and dedicated to meeting the challenges of the 21st century. This includes involving industry experts, considering their contributions, providing modern solutions or innovations, and establishing efficient processes globally.
2. Globally relevant standards are developed in a fair, responsive, and efficient manner. This is done by applying principles of due process, openness, and integrity, while considering the interests of all member parties and facilitating stakeholders' participation.
3. The integrity of ISO is monitored and protected by all members. Actions and resolutions made should
   

be in the best interest of ISO as a whole.

The ISO Strategic Plan 2005-2010, which was unanimously approved by ISO at its 27th meeting in Geneva on 15-16 Sept, 2004, guides ISO's course for a five-year period. The plan outlines the vision that the organization aims to achieve by 2010. It includes seven objectives that have been developed to meet the expectations of ISO's members and stakeholders. These objectives include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Developing a consistent and multi-sector collection of globally relevant international standards by improving market needs evaluation procedures, optimizing technical body architecture, and reviewing global policies.

2. Ensuring stakeholder involvement to capture global interests for the benefit of all countries and individuals, even at the lowest level.

3. Increasing the awareness and capacity of developing countries by promoting and upgrading new membership and allowing them to identify their priority sectors.

4. Promoting partnerships for efficient development of International Standards, particularly with policy development committees such as COPOLCO, CASCO, and DEVCO; IEC and other counterparts are also encouraged partners.- Promoting the use of voluntary standards as an alternative or support to technical regulations by involving government and intergovernmental organizations in standards development.
- Recognized provider of international standards and guides for conformity assessment.
- Providing efficient procedures and tools

for developing a complete range of deliverables by simplifying and collaborating with Information Technology providers.
- ISO 10014, 14025, 14040, and 14044 guidelines explained.
- ISO 10014 focuses on realizing financial benefits through application of ISO 9000 quality management principles for top management.
- ISO 14025 establishes principles and procedures for developing environmental declaration programs and declarations.
- Principles for using environmental information are established.Type III environmental declarations, as outlined in ISO 14025, are primarily meant for business-to-business communication. However, they can also be used for business-to-consumer communication under certain circumstances (ISO, 2008). ISO 14040 provides a framework and principles for conducting life cycle assessments (LCA), which includes defining the goal and scope of the assessment, conducting a life cycle inventory analysis (LCI), performing a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), interpreting the results, reporting and reviewing the assessment, identifying limitations, understanding the interrelationships between the various phases of LCA, and considering value choices and optional elements.

This text discusses two types of studies, life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle inventory (LCI), within the context of ISO standards. The goal and scope of LCA or LCI studies include considering their intended application, although the application itself is not within the scope of the International Standard. ISO, a democratic institution, relies on the contribution of member countries who have voting rights to develop and establish ISO standards. Each country has one vote in this process. Looking ahead, ISO's importance to the business community lies in its ability to determine the marketability of products and establish guidelines for standard product characteristics or features.

ISO plays a role in making the development, manufacturing, and supply of products and services more efficient, safer, and cleaner.

It also facilitates trade between countries, promotes fairness, shares technological advances and good management practices, disseminates innovation, and safeguards consumers and users of products and services. In the future, ISO standards are expected to simplify life by providing solutions to common problems. This is already being witnessed ("ISO", 2008).

References

1. ISO. International Organisation for Standardization. Retrieved March 25, 2008 from http://www.iso.org
2. Real Estate Glossary. Retrieved March 25, 2008 from ;http://www.md-re.com/Real_Estate_Glossary/C.php;