Environmental system

The VAKINN environmental grading is free of charge to companies participating in the VAKINN quality system. Participation in the environmental aspect is not compulsory, but obviously responsible companies should apply for this type of accreditation. Please note that it is not possible to participate exclusively in the environmental grading, since this is only on offer to participants in the quality system as a whole.

The environmental criteria are used to assess a company’s situation with regard to environmental issues and its relationship to the community. This is indeed what sustainability comprises, as well as economic factors. As a follow-up to the assessment, the company receives Bronze, Silver or Gold. Companies which already hold ISO 14001, the Swan or Earth Check receive Gold without assessment, on condition that they fulfil certain requirements relating to social responsibility.

The VAKINN environmental criteria are based on the ideology of sustainable development as defined in the United Nations report on the environment and development, “Our common future”, often referred to as the Brundtland report. According to this report, sustainable development is:

  Development which meets the requirements of modernity without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Three mainstays of sustainable development are emphasised, the financial, social and environmental. Sustainable development insists on a balance between those mainstays, in the sense that they should all be given equal weight. Society thrives within the environment, and it is within society that the economy is created. Therefore, every decision that a company makes has to consider social and environmental interest in equal measure to economic interest.

Further details regarding the environment criteria

The environmental system is based on eight main categories:

  • Strategy and work procedures
    - Has the company’s strategy and mission been presented to the staff?
  • Procurements and resources
    -Is lifetime cost taken into account with regard to procurements and other decisions?
  • Energy
    -Are cooling and heating systems regularly monitored and maintained?
  • Waste
    -Is glass, paper, plastic or metal returned for recycling?
  • Nature preservation
    -Is the re-vegetation of land supported?
  • Community
    -Is there a company representative on a committee or board of a local association?
  • Suppliers and market
    -Is it known where raw materials are manufactured and how the process is conducted?
  • Information to customers
    - Are customers informed of the company’s main concerns with regard to nature preservation? 

 

Environmental criteria, bronze

To obtain the bronze award, the company must have taken action in at least 6 areas, thereof at least one action (see checklist) in each of the following categories, in order to:

  • Reduce waste
  • Save energy (e.g. fuel, electricity and hot water)
  • Encourage more environmentally viable procurements

 

Environmental criteria, silver

To gain the silver award, the company must have fulfilled the bronze criteria and carried out regular measurements for 6-12 months. It is necessary, furthermore, to demonstrate success in at least one area referred to in the company’s action plan, for example, with regard to:

•    Reducing waste
•    Saving electricity
•    Saving hot water
•    Saving fuel

 

Environmental criteria, gold

To achieve the gold award, the company must have fulfilled the silver criteria and taken action in at least 25 areas, thereof at least five actions (see checklist) in each of the following, in order to:

  • Reduce waste
  • Save energy (e.g. fuel, electricity and hot water)
  • Promote more environmentally viable procurements


In addition, information must be available with regard to the company’s contributions to at least:

  • One project in the field of nature preservation
  • One project in the field of social affairs