Indonesia to introduce own version of ISO-14000

Indonesia to introduce own version of ISO-14000

JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to introduce Indonesia's
own version of ISO-14000, an international management standard
award which incorporates the way companies observe their
environmental obligations, starting next year.

The Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedal) is
currently working out the criteria necessary to meet the
standard, State Minister of Environment Sarwono Kusumaatmadja
said yesterday as reported by Antara.

Sarwono, who also chairs Bapedal, explained that while
Indonesia will impose its own criteria, "they will still refer to
those used by ISO".

The ISO is an international accreditation system that
acknowledges the recipient companies as having met certain
standards. Various Indonesian companies have already received the
ISO-9000 accreditation, but none have met the tougher ISO-14000
standards which incorporate environmental considerations.

Sarwono noted that other countries have developed their own
environmental management standards, citing the British Standard
7750 and the Eco Management and Audit Scheme of the European
Union. The Netherlands, Canada and Australia have also introduced
their own versions, he added.

"Indonesia will have its own accreditation and certification
system which is tied to the ISO's 14000 series. We do not have to
follow the system adopted by other countries," he said when
opening a course for environmental auditors.

He added that the accreditation system would remain
"voluntary" in nature.

The ISO-14000 would incorporate environmental management
systems, environmental audits, environmental labeling and
environmental preservation evaluations. The series was introduced
in view of the increasing prominence given to environmental
considerations in international trade.

Sarwono said Bapedal should complete the environmental
management and auditing systems next year. They will be applied
by the middle of 1996.

The five-day workshop for 24 participants was jointly
organized by Resource Development Consultants (Redecon) and the
Environmental Auditor Registration Association.

Redecon President Ismid Hadad said his company organizes the
course periodically to prepare environmental auditors in
accordance with the demands of ISO-14000.

Meanwhile, Bapedal's Deputy for Environmental Impact
Management P.L. Coutrier said the introduction of ISO-14000
system would be to the advantage of everyone -- the government,
the business world and those concerned with environment.

For the government, the system bodes well for sustainable
development which it is trying to promote.

For the business community, ISO-14000 should be regarded as
one way of getting a competitive edge and a means of enhancing
their image. (emb)