A key element of the ISO 14001 certified environmental management systems are formal and informal means for continuously improving environmental management systems and environmental performance.

The ISO 14001 standard requires documentation of all the critical elements of Cargill Steel’s activities, products or services that can have a beneficial or adverse affect on the environment. Obviously, this standard requires us to consider more than merely regulatory compliance issues.

The standard further requires development of “Objectives and Targets” for improving control of significant aspects and impacts, legal compliance, and environmental performance. Common “Objectives and Targets” for North Star Steel facilities include waste minimization and reductions in energy consumption. Programs for achieving the documented “Objectives and Targets” must be developed to document tasks, responsibilities and milestones. Finally, the standard requires periodic management review of progress toward the Objectives and Targets and, to ensure it remains relevant and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, periodic management review of the environmental management system itself.