Few firms conduct environmental audits
Few firms conduct environmental audits
JAKARTA (JP): A legal advocate for the environment said that
few Indonesian businesses were inclined to conduct environmental
audits.
Mas Achmad Santosa, director of the Indonesian Center for
Environmental Law (ICEL) told The Jakarta Post recently that the
few environmental audits conducted by businesses highlighted weak
law enforcement in Indonesia.
According to Achmad, an environmental audit has proved to be
an effective management tool to increase businesses' awareness
about the need for environmental preservation.
In developed countries, Achmad said, industries conduct the
audit to avoid legal action and liability of damages done.
In Indonesia, he said, a number of companies conducted
environmental audits after pressure or intervention from a third
party, such as the government and international market demand.
"Since the general guidelines to conduct environmental audits
was issued in 1994, not a single company has voluntarily
conducted auditing," Achmad said.
Environmental audits will be implemented only when there is
evidence of violation of environmental law or a catastrophe due
to poor management.
"Policymakers should consider whether environmental audits can
be promoted in the midst of weak law enforcement," Achmad said.
New factories are required to make an environmental impact
assessment before their business licenses are issued. But
Environmental Impact Agency officials have admitted that very few
companies have complied with it.
Authority
ICEL hopes that agencies related to environmental control and
management will be given firm authority to reprimand companies
that fail to conduct environmental audits.
Achmad also suggested that funding organizations demand that
businesses with high environmental degradation risks perform
environmental audits.
"Sooner or later, the international market will turn to ISO
14000 accreditation, which weighs heavily on environmental
management," Achmad said.
The International Standard Organization has been giving
accreditation for companies which met certain environmental
management standards. (14)