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PHA
Receives ISO 14001 Recertification for
Environmental Management System
 HOUSTON—The
Port of Houston Authority’s (PHA’s) historic Environmental
Management System (EMS) has been recertified to meet the rigorous
standards of the universally recognized International Organization
for Standardization (ISO) 14001. The independent auditing firm Det
Norske Veritas confirmed the recertification, as well as the ISO
14001 certification of the port authority’s state-of-the-art
Bayport Container Terminal, as an extension of that recertification.
“We are extremely pleased with this latest validation of the
Port of Houston Authority’s commitment to responsible environmental
stewardship,” says PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds. “The
ISO standard is a tangible, measurable means of gauging our progress
in this area and each recertification is a concrete indication that
we have not only met previous goals, but are committed to raising
the bar and achieving more.”
Wade M. Battles, PHA acting executive director, calls this latest
environmental achievement “a testament to the collective efforts
of the entire PHA team.”
“This could not be possible without buy-in and participation
from all segments of the port authority family,” says Battles,
one of the architects of the original EMS program.
“I was extremely pleased to see Bayport pass,” says
Charlie Jenkins, PHA’s director of Planning and Environment.
“Bayport’s
environmental initiatives were implemented with the community in
mind."
Det Norske Veritas identified several ‘noteworthy’ comments
during the most recent audits. They include:
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Top
management’s commitment to EMS implementation was found
well-focused and very positive, based on the interview with
top management representative. |
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EMS
awareness was found high and consistent at all facilities and
levels. Interviewed personnel were well aware of the impact
of their duties, operational control and communication channels. |
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Housekeeping
was well-maintained in all facilities visited. Representatives
were fully committed toward EMS implementation and innovation
as well. |
Det Norske Veritas auditor Chandran Ilango, who has conducted environmental
audits all over the world, was especially impressed with the cleanliness
and order of the Turning Basin Central Maintenance facility.
“It is an older facility with a lot of activity going on,”
Ilango says. “That they are able to stay on top of everything
and still keep it so well maintained is extremely impressive.”
A complete press release on the recertification can be found on
PHA’s Web site, and by clicking here.
A copy of PHA’s Environmental Stewardship Fact Sheet can be
found here.
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