Recent changes to ISO 9001 mean quality-certified manufacturers now need to consider climate change's impact on achieving the quality system's purpose.
At Circuitwise, we understand that this development presents both challenges and opportunities for product developers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). You can see the Communique here and the ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group Guidance here. Following is a brief overview of the implications.
The changes require that the impacts of climate change in ISO 9001 be considered when "understanding the organisation and it's context" and in "understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties", such as customers and regulators.
As a direct consideration, companies need to assess the impact of climate change on their operations, including things such as the impact of increased frequency of extreme weather events and climate-related disruptions to supply chains.
The changes do not directly mandate that a manufacturer implement environmental sustainability initiatives. However, if your customers consider climate change important, or they (and their end users) are subject to environmental laws, then manufacturers need to consider the implications of that on their own operations. For example, end-customers may require everyone in their supply chain to demonstrate environmental due diligence.
The need to take into account external factors such as climate change was always implied prior to this amendment. However, this change singles out climate change as being of such importance that it must not be overlooked or omitted from analysis. Companies will now have to explicitly show they have considered if climate change is a relevant issue. Auditors will be evaluating the processes used by organisations to consider climate change. There is no transition date for this change, so it will be included in your next audit.
Climate change regulations in Australia are largely targeted at large companies and energy retailers, so they do not directly impact the average manufacturer of electronic devices. However, many manufacturers have customers in the European Union, which has extensive environmental regulations, and their climate change obligations may need to be considered.
For example, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive adopted last June obligates large EU companies to address adverse environmental impacts across their supply chains, which may reach down into your typical customers or end-users.
If your downstream customers require evidence of how your suppliers are making all efforts to mitigate their impact, including electronics manufacturers like Circuitwise, come and talk to us. We continually consider ways to improve our environmental performance. This is often done by purchasing the most advanced production equipment with superior environmental performance. We also make efforts to combine shipments and optimise local inventory holdings. These and other such efforts will be recognised by your auditors, as doing everything we can to minimise our contribution to climate change. Ultimately, the biggest positive impact you can have on climate change is to manufacture locally, with all the benefits of reduced length of supply chain and travel requirements.
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