Policy / Systems / Technology

June 14, 2003

 

Trucking Industry Establishes Original Environmental Management Certification System

Keywords: Climate Change Non-manufacturing industry Policy / Systems Transportation / Mobility University / Research institute 

Japan's Foundation for Promoting Personal Mobility and Ecological Transportation (EcoMo Foundation), under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, has established a certification system - the Green Management Certification System - to encourage the trucking industry to promote environmental protection activities. Under this system, an independent body will evaluate the activities of truck operators based on an original set of standards. Trucking operations that meet or surpass the prescribed requirements will be certified and registered. Autumn 2003 is the target for putting the system into practice.

The Foundation had formerly prepared a Green Management Manual based on the ISO 14000 series, but the present manual will now serve as the certification standard. According to this manual, environmental activities will be classified into 5 categories: development of mechanisms and systems for environmental protection efforts, eco-driving campaigns, introduction of low-pollution vehicles, vehicle inspection and maintenance, and reduction, proper disposal and recycling of discarded vehicles and other waste materials. The activities that truck operators have actually carried out in each category will be examined from the perspective of environmental performance and evaluated according to a three-grade system.

An independent, third party organization empowered by the EcoMo Foundation will conduct the examinations, while the Foundation will decide whether applicants have met the requirements, and then certify and register approved companies. It costs about 160,000 yen (about U.S. $1,300) to go through the examination and registration process, and certification is valid for 2 years.

Ninety-nine (99) percent of enterprises in the trucking industry are small to medium-sized, so it is hard for most businesses to obtain certification under the ISO 14001 international standards for environmental management, due to the difficulties in setting aside sufficient economic and human resources for the purpose. The establishment of this certification system, which is less costly and complicated, is expected to stimulate truck operaters to engage in environmental protection activities, and eventually reduce the environmental impacts of the trucking industry.


- "Green Management Manual" for Japan's Trucking Industry (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/db/133-j

Posted: 2003/06/14 09:44:20 AM
Japanese version

 

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