Environmental Impact and Sustainable Development: An Analysis in the Context of Standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001

Abstract

In this study, we seek to verify the contributions made by three international standards to efforts by eight companies to reduce their environmental impacts and move toward sustainable development. The standards considered in this article are the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environmental management systems), and the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001. The eight companies analyzed for this study are located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. As part of this work, the authors generated a proposed sustainable positioning matrix and placed each company within one of four quadrants—economic approach, environmental approach, social approach, and sustainability approach—derived from the context of the Triple Bottom Line (Elkington, ).

Sustainable Development and New Revision of ISO Management Standards

“…Quality Management standard (ISO 9001:2015) is focused on economic development by delivering product which satisfy client requirements, Environmental Management standard (ISO 9001:2015) is focused on organization environmental impact by product and process of its realization, and Occupational Health and Safety management standard (ISO 45001:xxxx) is focused on workplace and worker wellness and wellbeing. Thus, achieving sustainable development through the use of these standards has become feasible and practicable for companies [13].…”

Supply chain sustainability led by governance: A multicase propositive study in Brazil

“…The importance of the supply chain in generating sustainable products and services is already understood; however, the concrete involvement of members upstream and downstream in the contribution to sustainability is still in the form of propositions. Focal companies, either through their business strategies, or under the procedures of the ISO 9000 and 14000 series, Social Accountability 8000, or Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Services 18000 certifying standards and norms, can influence the external members of the chain, suppliers, and clients, or be influenced by the stakeholders, to reduce their environmental impact (Borella & Borella, ).…”

Motivations for and Comparisons of Green Certificates within the Hotel Industry

“…There are gaps in the literature when it comes to factors that cause hotel management to decide for a specific certificate, as well as challenges and practices when it comes to implementation of changes in services, products and operations. Further, as Borella and Rodrigues [5] observe, there is not much literature on the trends of green certification especially within the hotel industry.…”

“…A new research project [4] shows that sustainability in the industry concerns more than saving kilowatt hours -it is as much about the combined care for the environment and for the guest. Therefore, as Borella and Rodrigues [5] argue, obtaining a green certificate acts as a clear indication that a hotel is committed to improve its reputation, environmental management strategies, environmental legitimacy, and customer attraction. This is consistent with the assertions by De Jong et al [6] that ideology, reputation, marketing, and economic motives are among the key factors considered by hotel managers before going for a green certification.…”