Many processes in electronics production such as soldering, printing or surface treatment and the basic and auxiliary materials used require special attention to be paid to environmental protection. Twenty years ago, the EU environment ministers adopted the directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances (RoHS) in this equipment.
The EMS service provider BMK therefore introduced an environmental management system (EMS) 20 years ago in order to operate sustainably. In 2003, BMK added an environmental management system to its existing quality management system in order to systematically protect the environment from harmful discharges and emissions and to produce in compliance with the law. This means that at BMK, environmental protection is interwoven with the quality management system, enabling the company to comply with environmental and quality standards. This integrated approach regularly impresses the auditors.
The environmental management system helps medium-sized companies in particular to be aware of existing and new national and EU-wide legislation and to act accordingly. Over the years, environmental management has enabled processes to be optimized in terms of environmental protection. In an interdisciplinary BMK environmental team, for example, ideas from employees and trainees are taken up and implemented. Apprentices are given the opportunity to train as IHK energy and resource scouts.
Following the introduction of the EMS on the basis of ISO 14001 certification, the EMS service provider has registered for the European sustainability seal EMAS.
