PIMDEE, environmental printing house aiming for ISO:14001 standards
Printing was once considered a world-changing innovation that allowed information to be widely communicated to people and helped develop the modern world into what it is today. The production process of printing in the industrial era relies on natural resources to produce books, magazines, or other media in large quantities. However, when the development of modern technology became involved in printing houses, the production process could be controlled and maintained to a standard that could reduce resource usage and reduce pollution from the factory. Pimdee therefore realized that our printing house could start immediately to be a part of taking care of nature and then become a part of international standards such as ISO 14001.
PIMDEE and its support for the environment and sustainability
Pimdee is committed to environmental sustainability, recognizing the significant impact of air pollution, which causes climate change that affects all life on this planet. As air pollution is a global issue, businesses need to be responsible for their impact on the environment. They share the same purpose which is to operate a business based on social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Some of our clients require international standards and often ask us to verify the MSDS and test reports of our raw materials before production. This is to ensure compliance with specific customer requirements, such as not using prohibited hazardous substances or chemicals that affect the environment, as defined by various countries. If any prohibited substances are found in raw materials, we immediately discontinue their use and replace them with suitable alternatives.
In the industrial estate where PIMDEE Printing House is located, there are strict regulations and also severe penalties. For instance, the estate conducts monthly water quality tests to ensure that all companies, including PIMDEE, are properly treating their wastewater before discharging it into the central wastewater treatment facility. Severe penalties are imposed on any company found to be in violation of these regulations.
Thailand has set ambitious goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. This requires significant preparation across all industries. PIMDEE is committed to supporting these national goals through various sustainability initiatives, such as proper waste segregation, on-site wastewater treatment, and the installation of solar panels on roofs to reduce electricity costs, using clean energy to help preserve the environment, etc. These efforts not only benefit the environment but also enable us to collaborate with other organizations that share our commitment to sustainability.
What is ISO 14001?
Since 1996, the ISO 14001 standard has been established to provide a basic framework for organizations to set environmental policies and objectives. It outlines requirements for controlling pollution and managing environmental impacts. So, ISO 14001 is an environmental management system standard that can be applied by any organization, regardless of its size or sector. It considers environmental aspects from activities, products, and services that the organization considers that it can control or take action to push for something.
ISO 14001 has many sub-standards, which are divided into the family of Standards, such as eco-design, adaptation to climate change, greenhouse management, etc.
While PimDee has not yet achieved ISO 14001 certification, we recognize the significance of this international standard. We are currently implementing internal initiatives to align our operations with the requirements of ISO 14001, setting the stage for future certification.
The path to achieving ISO 14001
PimDee has developed a comprehensive plan to achieve ISO 14001 certification. As part of this plan, we will conduct internal employee training sessions in the fourth quarter of 2024. Also, we will start the implementation of our environmental management system in early 2025. For sure, we are confident that we will meet ISO 14001 standards within six months.
Challenges of Creating Sustainability in Future Print Media
Sustainability has become a global concern, significantly influencing businesses' decisions when selecting partners and suppliers. Especially in the export market, there are stringent environmental and sustainability requirements, including restrictions on the use of prohibited substances. As a result, PimDee must carefully inspect its suppliers to ensure compliance with these standards. Our production team must undergo environmental training to ensure they are aware of the necessary precautions. Additionally, many new clients have implemented environmental assessment criteria as part of their supplier evaluation process. If we fail to meet these standards, we may not be able to proceed with the printing process. This is a challenge today, where operations are more intense in competition in the environmental dimension. However, Pimdee will continue to strive to develop continuously.
In the future, Pimdee plans to expand its standards of Carbon Footprint from the one we got for the product to organizational-wide certifications. Additionally, we will pursue other ISO standards, such as ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, ISO 50001 for energy management, and ISO 27001 for information security management. These certifications will further support our sustainability efforts.
