Queen's University Belfast achieve ISO14001

24th January 2007

Queen’s University Belfast is the latest University to achieve certification to the ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems Standard.

Certification was achieved for the Environmental Management System (EMS) in place within the University’s Estates Department and Purchasing Office.

The EMS was introduced in June 2005 following the completion of a University wide Initial Environmental Review. The Review was completed to identify all Environmental Aspects associated with the University’s operations.

The two stage certification assessment process was undertaken by National Quality Assurance (NQA) Ltd. who are one of the UK's largest and longest established certification bodies.

The first, in September 2006, was an initial assessment and was completed to ensure all EMS documentation was in order and that it covered all clauses of the ISO14001 standard.

The main assessment was then completed in November 2006 where the remaining EMS documentation were reviewed and legal compliance checks, site visits and interviews with staff were completed.

There are currently 13 Environmental Management (Improvement) Programmes in place as part of the EMS, which include

• The move to the use of recycled content paper (EP4) for printing and photocopying in both departments, which led to the initiative being rolled out across the University. Approx 195 tonnes of recycled content paper is now in use
• The introduction of cardboard recycling- approximately 2 tonnes per month of cardboard is currently being recycled. A further programme has been introduced to improve on this figure 
• The completion of an obsolete IT amnesty exercise, during which 28 tonnes of IT equipment was collected and recycled
• The development of a green procurement strategy for the University
• The introduction of an integrated Waste Management Contract to reduce costs, improve waste monitoring, facilitate enhanced recycling, and improve overall service

Further information can be obtained from Adrian Davis, Environmental Manager, Queen’s University Belfast (contact 028 90971198).