Address by Mr. Noel Treacy T.D. Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce at the opening of COLD CHON's new offices and presentation of ISO 14001 Certification at Oranmore, Co. Galway, on 17^th December 2001.

I am delighted to be in Oranmore today to open Cold Chon's new Sales / Dispatch Offices and also to present your company with its award for obtaining the ISO 14001 environmental standard.

First, I want to sincerely congratulate your company on its achievements to date. Having been established here in 1961, this company has seen considerable growth in forty years. It now consists of three separate factories - Cold Chon, Chemoran and Coletanche; all of which manufacture different but related products to the highest standard. It is now one of Ireland's leading companies involved in the building and maintenance of roads.

While many of your products are used in road surfacing, I understand that your products are also used in the protection of the environment, such as capping land fill sites, water basins, dams, reservoirs, artificial lakes, ditches, as well as railways. It is not surprising therefore that a company, whose products are so environmentally linked would itself be totally committed to a process of systematic analysis, planning, control and monitoring of all of its activities that may affect environmental performance. Accordingly it comes as no surprise to anyone that Cold Chon has achieved the 14001 Environmental Standard. I congratulate your Company on this attainment - gaining this standard wasn't an easy task.

Environmental issues and the need for protection of the environment is the focus of increasing concern and over the past number of years, governments, business and the public are demanding a reasonable and effective response.

Many companies and organisations have responded positively to the challenge to contribute to economic development and prosperity, in a new way that respects the environment. They are actively implementing economically viable programs, that reduce the adverse environmental impacts of their operations and that result in sustained benefits for all parties.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Standards have been developed as tools to allow the management of organisations to better identify, manage and control their activities that can impact on the Environment.

By a systematic analysis of the aspects of an organisation's operations and by quantifying their impact on the environment, the organisation can respond in a planned and co-ordinated way. Defining clear goals and objectives in relation to environmental performance, gives direction to the organisation by reducing waste and energy use, substitution of non-renewable resources, risk avoidance, good citizenship and image enhancement. This contributes to increased stakeholder confidence, competitive advantage and long term viability.

The ISO 14001 Standard, published in 1996, was designed to be compatible with other management standards, particularly the widely used ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard. Industrial Companies, Service Organisation, Utilities and Public Bodies Worldwide, have embraced ISO 14001 as the preferred model for environmental management.

An effective environmental management system based on ISO 14001, provides an organisation with a defined structure to allow them to more confidently and effectively manage environmental issues by:

• Establishing a policy and awareness that good environmental performance is a strategic objective of the organisation;
• Focusing on the prevention of waste and pollution and on continual improvement of environmental performance;
• Systematic analysis, planning, control and monitoring of all activities that may affect environmental performance;
• Assisting companies to more effectively meet legislative and regulatory requirements, and
• Demonstrating to regulators, stakeholders and other interested third parties that a formal environmental management system is operational and effective.

A system of this kind enables an organisation such as Cold Chon, to establish recognised environmental policies and objectives. It also allows them to assess the effectiveness of their environmental procedures achieve conformance with them and demonstrate this conformity.

But of course the work doesn't end here today. Obtaining ISO 14001 certification is only the first step in a process of continual improvement - a concept, which is fundamental to ISO 14001. The standard also facilitates improvements in internal and external relations by enhancing the company's image with interested parties, including staff, shareholders and customers.

I would like to take the opportunity today to highlight the important role being played by the NSAI, in leading industry in the area of technical and management standards which are increasingly required to remain competitive in the market place.

Finally, the success of this environmental standard ISO 14001, depends on a commitment from all levels and functions within the organisation, especially from senior management. In this regard, I would like to pay special tribute to Mr John O' Shaughnessy, General Manager, Mr Carl Mooney, Quality Manager and all of the environmental management team, whose diligent work has brought the environmental standards of the company to this very high level.

I wish the management and staff of Cold Chon continued success in the exciting years, ahead, in which I am confident you will continue to grow, through serving our economy, with vital products to the highest international environmental standards.