VIP-Polymers Ltd has obtained ISO 14001 environmental certification with what the assessor described as some of the best management control systems he had seen at any manufacturer.

The global specialist rubber seals and gaskets manufacturer, based in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, has achieved ISO 14001:2015, the latest version of the international standard.

The assessment was based on elements of a management system, first introduced in 2016, being developed in-house by Dan Rowe, VIP’s Senior Quality Engineer, and Neil Search, the company’s Quality and Systems Manager.

This system incorporates quality, health and safety – and now the environment – in an integrated approach so VIP’s processes support each other towards a mutual goal of continual improvement.

Dan Rowe said: “The ISO assessor from BSI was very complimentary about our management system, saying we were raising the bar, and that some of its elements were the best he had ever seen at any manufacturer in the UK.
“It was very pleasing to receive such positive feedback. Passing the audit at the first attempt was a great achievement, and reflects the hard work put in by everyone involved.”

ISO 14001:2015 sets the standard for environmental management systems, taking a risk-based approach to controlling the company’s impacts on the world around it.

VIP’s management system has introduced new tools and techniques that are tailored to align perfectly with the requirements of working practices at VIP and the ISO standard.

This has included the introduction of a new form of life-cycle assessment, known as a Chi-Bi diagram, and a revolutionary new method for assessing risks across all areas of the business.

Neil Search said: “We have developed a new approach to risk management, moving from a predictive model to one based on introducing specific control processes to manage risk.

“We have also looked at every stage of how all our seals and gaskets are designed, manufactured, and then used to maximise quality, cut waste and energy use, and reduce their impact on the environment.

“Thanks to this process, which has involved every team in our organisation, our customers can be sure we are continuously improving the sustainability, quality, and value of our products.”

VIP also holds ISO 9001:2015 and has begun working towards achieving the newly published ISO 45001:2018 standard for health and safety management systems.

The company manufactures pipe seals and gaskets, and tunnel segment gaskets to many national and international standards, for major infrastructure projects around the world.

VIP has end-to-end control of the R&D and manufacturing process by compounding and mixing its own rubber, product design and testing through to the final manufacture of the products.

Download our latest ISO 14001:2015 Certificate here.