Environmental issues
Hópbílar hf. (Inc.) has resolved to be in the group of companies that are in the forefront of environmental concern. To this effect the company has adopted a certified environmental management system that conforms to ISO-14001 standards. These standards are today an integral part of management and policy making within the company.
Hópbílar is the first and only company in Iceland providing passenger transport services which has received this international certification. Hópbílar hf. is also the recipient of the Conch Shell Environment Award, presented by the Ministry for the Environment. In order to ensure systematic monitoring of the company’s largest environmental focus, the use of diesel fuel, a pumping station and electronic registration has been installed. About 90% of all refills take place on the company’s premises.
In 2001, the owners of Hópbílar decided to implement an environmental management system according to ISO 14001 requirements. As it is a very extensive undertaking, only three companies in Iceland have implemented this kind of system. In accordance with this requirement, all our drivers have successfully completed a course in Eco-Driving. Eco-driving is a way of driving that helps in reducing fuel consumption and green house gas emissions. Eco–driving has been shown to improve road safety as well as the quality of the local and global environment. The system was certified in October 2004.
Implementing ISO 14001
This international Standard specifies requirements for an environmental management system, to enable anorganization to formulate a policy and objectives taken into account legislative requirements and information about significant environmental impacts. It applies to those environmental aspects which it can be expected to have an influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria.
This International Standard is applicable to any organization that wishes to;
- a) implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system;
b) assure itself of its conformance with its stated environmental policy;
c) demonstrate such conformance to others;
d) seek certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization;
e) make a self-determination and self-declaration of conformance with International Standard.
All the requirements in this management Standard are intended to be incorporated into any environmentalmanagement system. The extent of the application will depend on such factors as the environmental policy of the organization, the nature of its activities and the conditions in which it operates.
Sincerely,
Pálmar Sigurðsson
product manager