The Wendel Forum

In Episode 30 of The Wendel Forum (originally aired on September 3, 2011 on Green 960 AM radio), show host Dick Lyons sits down to chat with Rory Bakke, President of Sustainable Concepts Studio and Director of Sustainability for GreenBiz. 

In addition, Rory is a key author of the newly developed environmental standards for enterprises through Underwriters Labs (UL) to develop the environmental standards for enterprises.  UL Environment (or ULE) is currently working on releasing ULE 880 (for manufacturing organizations) and ULE 881 (for service providers).

Rory Bakke in studio with The Wendel Forum

During her conversation with Dick, she explains the process that UL has used to develop the standards and gives an overview of the program.  These standards have been developed with global input and an emphasis on being able to audit each individual aspect.  To participate, a company will first need to meet a baseline set of prerequisites. 

Beyond that, there is a point system for core requirements and leadership indicators in five major domains:

•  Environment (including aspects such as greenhouse gas emissions, water and energy efficiency, compliance with regulations, product stewardship, etc.)
• Governance (obligations to shareholders, board actions and  corporate practices)
• Labor and workforce 
• Community engagement and human rights
• Customers & Supply Chain (resolving issues with customers, dealing with supply chains huge factor)

While there are already many forms of product certification, this comprehensive set of standards is meant for the enterprise or organizational level.  Listen to the interview and let us know what you think about the program.  Is this certification something that your enterprise would value?

Post Links:

Listen to the interview with Rory Bakke: Episode 30 of The Wendel Forum (mp3)

Underwriters Lab Environment website: http://www.ulenvironment.com/ulenvironment/eng/pages/

Dick Lyons website bio: www.wendel.com/rlyons

Green 960 AM radio website: www.green960.com