Green Manufacturing Certifications and What is Required

Green manufacturing focuses on sustainability, producing products while minimising negative impacts on the environment. This involves manufacturing goods while using resources efficiently, designing products that can be recycled or otherwise reused, and cutting energy and water consumption.

Green certification requirements are a crucial aspect of sustainability management in the UK. They show that a company is meeting certain standards when it comes to protecting the environment. 

Below, we explore the requirements to achieve key green manufacturing standards. These include documentation, testing, supply chain standards, and ongoing compliance for electrical manufacturers.

Numerous certifications are available for electrical manufacturers to attain green manufacturing credentials in the UK. 

They include international standards such as ISO 14001 (an environmental management system) and ISO 50001 (which focuses on energy management). There are also global standards, such as B Corp certification, which assesses the environmental and social sustainability of your business.

In the UK, there are also specific sustainability standards run by organisations such as The Carbon Trust (Route to Net Zero) and Cradle to Cradle Certified, which focuses on circular design and material safety. For manufacturers wanting to certify the sustainability of their facilities, meanwhile, BREEAM (the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) looks at the sustainability of industrial sites. 

The EU’s Ecolabel scheme looks at consumer-facing green product credentials and may be beneficial for British companies looking to trade in the European Union. 

There are also certifications available for manufacturers using specific materials. For example, if your products use wood, you might want your supplier to be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Compliance documentation comprises the official records that show your organisation is operating sustainably and in line with the standards you wish to attain. Some of these requirements are written into law. For example, ESG reporting requirements that UK companies face require them to make climate-related disclosures.

To attain ISO 14001, one of the most common and extensive sustainability management standards, manufacturers need a wide range of documentation. This includes:

• Statements about a company’s environmental policies
• A register of environmental impacts, such as energy and water usage, waste, and carbon emissions
• Evidence of compliance with legislation such as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
• Evidence of environmental permitting, health and safety, and waste regulations
• Documents showing how the organisation intends to improve its environmental performance
• A full list of sites encompassed by the environmental management system
• Instructions for procedures that could impact the environment, such as handling waste or measuring emissions
• Details on prepared emergency procedures. For example, the procedure that should be followed in the event of a chemical spill

Taken together, this means ISO 14001 requires extensive documentation and often requires a major investment of time and resources.

ISO 50001 is an international standard for energy use and efficiency. In terms of documentation, it requires:

• Statements about a company’s ongoing improvement of energy performance
• A detailed, systematic analysis of energy usage
• Goals for improving efficiency
• Details about energy metrics, such as baseline energy usage and metrics like carbon emissions per tonne of product
• Documentation on how energy-related activities are managed
• An analysis of how energy efficiency is considered in the company’s interactions with its suppliers

The manufacturer should be able to show compliance with legal and regulatory energy requirements in the UK, such as the Energy Savings Opportunities Scheme and Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting.

Green manufacturing and sustainability management require ongoing testing and verification as part of green certification requirements. 

Testing and verification prove that a business is meeting the requirements of a standard. This may be carried out by an external third party or carried out within the organisation.

For example, to attain ISO 14001, numerous external bodies like the British Assessment Bureau and the British Standard Institution (BSI) can audit a manufacturer’s performance against the standard. 

Auditors will: 

• Examine documentation of policies and procedures
• Conduct physical inspections of sites
• Interview employees
• Perform checks on processes and emissions
• Carry out laboratory analysis
• Assess business records

For ISO standards, recertification is required every three years, so testing is essential.

For ISO 50001 and carbon and energy usage certification, auditors will assess the carbon footprint of the business. These include energy bills, greenhouse gas inventories, and Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.

It’s vital for manufacturers embracing green manufacturing to also consider the sustainability of their supply chain. 

Scope 3 emissions, such as emissions in the supply chain, can make up as much as 90% of a manufacturer’s carbon footprint. The aforementioned ISO standards dictate that a company’s suppliers manage their impact on the environment and embrace energy efficiency. 

There are also standards such as ISO 20400 for sustainable procurement, which help companies make their procurement strategies environmentally friendly, and ISO 14064, which looks at supplier greenhouse gas data. 

Other standards, such as Zero Waste to Landfill, require proof that suppliers minimise waste.

Companies that fail to monitor their environmental performance and fail to continue to make improvements risk losing their certification. 

The ISO 14001 standard requires recertification every three years and regular monitoring of waste, energy and water usage, and carbon emissions. Compliance with legislation such as REACH and other regulations must be continually assessed. 

The leadership of the company should review environmental performance each year, and a third party should also check compliance with standards every 12 months. Procedures and processes that do not comply with standards must be improved. 

The environmental performance of the supply chain should also be monitored on an ongoing basis.

Green certification requirements are demanding, but an important part of the armoury when it comes to the environmental performance of a manufacturer. Standards such as ISO standards for the environment and energy efficiency help cut energy consumption and pollution, such as through using renewable energy, and reduce waste. 

This is helping companies to play their part in fighting climate change and air quality issues. Meeting these standards also helps organisations meet their obligations under UK law, such as the Environment Act. 

As the standards are recognised globally, this makes it easier for companies to trade overseas. Environmental certification may also be required to secure large contracts nationally, such as in the public sector procurement.

Finally, at a time when some organisations are accused of ‘greenwashing,’ certification shows that a manufacturer is really walking the walk when it comes to environmental performance and sustainability.