Danvers, Massachusetts, April 14, 2006. TÜV America Inc. announced that its Management Service division has certified Massport's Tobin Memorial Bridge to ISO 14001, making this the first bridge in the United States to receive an ISO 14001 designation.
The designation continues a string of environmental firsts for Massport as the Tobin joins L.G. Hanscom Field and the Conley Container Terminal as the first transportation facilities of their kind in the country to be ISO-certified.
"ISO certification is part of a comprehensive strategy to ensure that all Massport facilities are operated in an environmentally sound and responsible manner, said Massport CEO Craig Coy. "The EMS initiatives support Massport's overall corporate goal of ensuring that environmental considerations are included in business, financial, operational, and programmatic decisions.
In the short run, the Tobin plans to establish a pilot program for using re-refined oil in Massport vehicles used on the bridge, as well as adjustments in managing trash swept from the bridge. The Tobin will also determine whether alternative materials can be used in re-decking, or if alternative procedures might be adopted for minimizing noise during deck renovations. Long term, the Tobin will begin a six-month tracking program to identify common causes of truck or automobile spills that might occur, and possible changes to prevent such accidents in the future.
Jenna Newcombe, Environmental Project Manager for Massport, said that the Tobin certification means "it's three down and one to go as Massport moves another step closer towards its ultimate goal of having all facilities, including Logan Airport, ISO-certified.
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognized environmental management system standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). To be certified to the standard, a business must implement an environmental management system (EMS), which is the tool used by organizations to control the impacts of its activities and services on the environment. A company has the option to be certified to the international standard or to self-certify. If an organization becomes certified, as Massport has with TÜV America as its Registrar, an outside auditor conducts annual audits that then culminate in a re-certification audit every three years.
As with other ISO-certified environmental management plans, the first step is to "create a boundary in which every activity that occurs at a facility is listed along with any impacts that activity might have on the environment, said Newcombe. At the Tobin, the list includes
bridge re-painting, pothole repair, roadway sweeping, vehicle maintenance, snow removal, tollbooth washing, drainage and bridge re-decking.
Activities from the list are then rated for significance by using criteria such as regulated and unregulated; or those internal to the Tobin Bridge and those undertaken by customers or contractors. This exercise produced a list of long- and short-range programs for addressing environmental impacts at the bridge.
"The whole premise of ISO certification is continuous improvement, said Newcombe. "Once we've taken care of what we can do internally at Massport, we will reach out to our tenants and invite them to participate.
"Commenting on Massport's certification, TÜV America's James Melloni, Environmental Business Manager, says: "We are pleased to have been selected as the Registrar of choice by Massport, and to be part of this historic certification. Massport's ISO certification serves as a testament to their dedication and strong commitment to Environmental Quality.
The Tobin Bridge opened to traffic in 1950 and at 2.25 miles long, is the largest bridge in New England. Each day, 75,000 vehicles cross the 56-year-old span.
About Massport
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) is a world-class independent public authority which develops, promotes and manages airports, the seaport and transportation infrastructure to enable Massachusetts and New England to compete successfully in the global marketplace. It is a self-sustaining entity that operates without the use of state tax dollars. It operates Logan International Airport, the Port of Boston, the Tobin Bridge, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport.
About ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is the newest management system standard that benefits the environment and provides a highly effective, globally accepted framework for establishing and continually improving applicable management system processes. Effective ISO 14001 implementation should bring with it both reductions in environmental risk and environmental costs. Achieving this voluntary registration should further improve regulatory relations, and demonstrate to customers and to your community that your company is truly environmentally aware.
About TÜV America Inc.
TÜV America Inc. offers a wide range of services through the globally recognized brand names of TÜV Product Service, Management Service and Industry Service. Headquartered in Danvers, MA, the organization maintains a full-time audit staff in over a dozen locations throughout North America and provides management system certification services to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS9100, ISO 13485, TL 9000, Supplier Auditing solutions and more. TÜV America is a leading EU Notified Body for the Medical Devices, Active Implantable Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostic Directives. Additional services include CE Marking assistance, mechanical/electrical product safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), NRTL and SCC certification. Globally, TÜV has issued over 190,000 product and 30,000 quality management system certifications.
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For more information contact:
Calin Moldovean
Director, Management Service
TÜV America Inc.
978.739.7031
cmoldovean@tuvam.com
For editorial information contact:
Carmen Hopwood
Marketing Communications Specialist
TÜV America Inc
978.739.7077
chopwood@tuvam.com
For Massport editorial information contact:
Richard Walsh
Media Relations Manager
Massachusetts Port Authority
617.568.3100
rwalsh@massport.com
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