ISO Standards and Greener Vehicles

ISO is working to support cleaner cars because they understand that the future is about fuel-efficient, low or no emission vehicles. ISO standards for the automotive industry cover environmental considerations but they also cover things like safety, ergonomics, performance, test methods, and the roll-out of innovative technologies. These standards help to make new automotive technologies ecological, efficient, safe and effective.

Standards are being adapted to the new challenges of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). These new standards cover issues like safety from electric hazards, on-board rechargeable energy store systems and protection against failures.

The ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have reached an updated agreement concerning the standardization of road vehicles. The Agreement Concerning the Standardization of Road Vehicles improves cooperation on standards for electric vehicles and automotive electronics. As revealed in the agreement, ISO is helping to plug these technologies into the electricity supply infrastructure, also known as the grid.

ISO 15118 deals with the interface between electric vehicles and the grid, including communication links and protocols.

ISO committes are currently working on standards for electric vehicles and extensions of existing standards. A committe known as ISO/TC 22 is developing standards for electric vehicles and the extension of ISO 6469 seeks to ensure the safe handling of electric vehicles.

Also under development is ISO 12405, which provides test specifications for lithium-Ion traction battery systems.

ISO is providing an internationally recognized approach that will help to further the growth of greener vehicles.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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ISO 14001 Certification in the Solar Sector

A number of green companies have sought ISO 14001 environmental management certification including those associated with solar power.

Satelite solar panel maker AXT Inc. is committed to environmental protection and positive corporate citizenship. In 2006, they were certified as ISO 14001:2004.

A German manufacturer of photo-voltaics known as Q-Cells, is also ISO certified. The company earned ISO 9001:2000 certification and ISO 14001:2004 certification. Q-Cells is the world`s second largest maker of PV cells, after Sharp of Japan.

The Swiss connector manufacturer, Multi-Contact, which provides electrical connectors to the photovoltaic industry, recently achieved DIN ISO 14001 certification. The company uses resource saving MC Multilam Technology. With the MC3 and MC4 connector systems, Multi-Contact is leading in the Photovoltaic sector worldwide. With successful ISO 14001 certification the company has strengthened its sustainable positioning.

With the help of ISO certifcation, companies in the solar sector are integrating ecology into their management, processes and practices.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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The Implications of ISO 50001 for Your Business

To help businesses understand the implications of the new energy oriented ISO series, GreenBiz.com gathered a panel of energy and sustainability executives for a webinar titled, "ISO 50001: Preparing for the New Energy Management Standard."

The business community is increasingly adopting sustainable practices to decrease costs, reduce environmental impacts and add value. Energy management is central to these efforts. According to panelists Bill Allemon, vice president of Energy Management Services at ARCADIS U.S. what distinguishes the new ISO standard is its reach and range.

Other panelists include Don Macdonald, director of Sustainability Business Development of UL DQS Inc., and Kelly Smith, Global Energy and Sustainability program manager for Johnson Controls Inc.. The discussion was moderated by GreenBiz Executive Editor Joel Makower.

Allemon said, "the standard gives you the tools and basics, and if you want to, you can go all the way to certification." Smith of Johnson Controls noted that the standard can be applied to a single facility or building within a company and be used across an organization.ISO 50001 provides a systematic comprehensive approach for continuous improvement and an emphasis on performance management which are essential for development of sustainable organizations, Macdonald said."Energy is a corporation's 'currency,' " said Macdonald, pointing to a failure to value energy as organizational currency as a key barrier to improving energy management. Other barriers he cited include:

-Absence of continuous monitoring, metrics and performance management.
-Initial costs more important than recurring costs.
-Disconnect between capital and operating budgets.
-Immature sustainability culture.
-Shareholder focus on production rather than efficient use of resources.
-Failure to embed deep process quality management systems in an organization.

The panelists' presentations and their discussion are available in a GreenBiz webinar which can be downloaded free with registration.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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