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Safety standards cover factors such as whether certain plastics are food-safe, for example, while quality compliance means ensuring they are of an appropriate quality for their designated uses, such as PVC pipes and valves that comply with European plumbing standards.
Environmental protection is covered by other regulations, such as the ISO standards that deal with recycling, labelling and composting. The standards exist at global, European and national levels in a highly regulated industry.
ISO 9001:2008
As part of the manufacturing quality management systems, ISO 9001:2008 is aimed at cutting out waste, reducing costs and saving employee time. It provides a structure to help businesses examine their systems, determining how they fit together and documenting everything for greater efficiency.
Plastics businesses who achieve the ISO 9001 standard often gain a competitive advantage and can tender for more valuable work, as they’re better equipped to enter new markets. In the domestic sector, this standard can be a requirement for businesses to be listed with “preferred supplier” status, or for tender documents.
It also helps as a training resource to ensure employees fully understand their own impact on the business, aiding traceability and spurring continuous improvement.
ISO 14001
With the media full of news about the impact of plastic waste on the planet, the ISO 14001 certification is an international environmental standard that can help reduce a business’s carbon footprint and demonstrate to customers that you operate a sustainable management system.
These improvements can help save money and give you a competitive edge: a survey by YouGov revealed 82% of UK consumers felt businesses should protect the environment, while a poll by PWC concluded 80% of shoppers would pay more for products from a sustainable company.
It follows that businesses who are compliant with ISO 14001 have a commercial advantage over those who don’t.
ISO 16949:2002
The international standard ISO 16949:2002 focuses on plastic quality control in the automotive industry, where floor coverings, fascias, mud flaps, bumpers, seat covers, etc., benefit from their plastic composition. This cost-effective and efficient solution helps vehicles to weigh less and therefore offer greater fuel efficiency. The parts are more durable and stronger and the enhanced design flexibility attracts customers.
A technical specification developed jointly by the International Standards Organisation and the International Automotive Task Force, ISO 16949 adds defined automotive requirements, focusing on preventing defects and reducing waste.
Consumers are increasingly aware of the automotive industry’s environmental impact, so this standard is based on best practice, as well as the quality of plastic products, demonstrating a consistency to improve staff training and sustainability awareness.
ISO 17025:2005
The management standard ISO 17025:2005 relates to the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, focusing on accuracy, consistency and traceability. When laboratories test plastics, they must demonstrate how they carry out the relevant processes for specific tests by qualified, trained employees. It also requires that the equipment and instruments used by the laboratories is maintained regularly, with a full record being kept.
This international standard confirms that each business has been audited independently. It follows the recognised Plan-Do-Check-Act model that incorporates existing systems, puts in place continuous improvement plans and builds on customer satisfaction. It can help your business by gaining approval from the regulatory authorities; helping you to access more customers; highlighting competence and standard best practices; and demonstrating consistency.
ISO 22000:2005
The standard ISO 22000:2005 and the updated ISO 22000:2018 version play a vital role in food safety management systems, specifying how organisations in the food chain should demonstrate their competence in controlling safety hazards, ensuring food is safe to eat.
Plastic plays a key role in the food chain, helping to keep costs down in terms of packing, processing, storing, distributing and displaying edible items. Without it, the industry would have a more limited selection of foods to eat, both at home and through catering outlets.
This global standard builds on British and international safety standards, incorporating Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. It is also compatible with ISO9001. Compliance helps companies to recognise risks and manage sanitary hazards throughout the food chain. It demands traceability and transparency to satisfy increasing consumer demands including how food has been sourced, processed and handled.
ISO 27001
Information security management systems are the subject of the international ISO 27001 standard. Every responsible plastics sector manager takes precautions against theft of stock and financial fraud, but other assets, such as confidential information stored in the IT system, may be overlooked. This can include everything from prototypes and patents to manufacturing processes and supplier contracts.
ISO 27001 helps identify, manage and minimise threats to business information, providing guidelines to implement risk management processes. It can be particularly beneficial for businesses that have ISO9001 in place already.
A typical action plan under ISO 27001 would cover a business’s security policies, including personnel; the physical environment; assets and access control; operations and communications; compliance; and systems maintenance. This can reassure customers by demonstrating all precautions are being taken to minimise data breaches.
AS 9100
The AS 9100 quality standard relates to the aerospace industry, where plastic plays a major role, providing weight and strength advantages and technical versatility. It comes in many forms including laminates, polymers and flame retardant materials, which have contributed to modern innovations in the aerospace industry.
As the specific quality standard for the sector, AS 9100 is essential to demonstrate how reliability and safety are top priority throughout the supply chain. Aligned with ISO 9001 quality management standard, it is tailored specifically for the aerospace industry and regulatory compliance.
Developed by aerospace engineers in Europe and the US, who worked with the International Standards Organisation to simplify and standardise previous generations of quality regulations; as a condition of doing business, all aerospace suppliers and manufacturers must be AS 9100 compliant.
OHSAS 18001
Data from the UK Health and Safety Executive reveals employees of plastics businesses commonly suffer accidents such as slips and trips during manual handling; after being struck by an object; or while working with machinery. Health issues can include occupational asthma, hearing impairment and dermatitis.
Plastics manufacturers should be compliant with the international OHSAS 18001 standard, as it provides a framework to manage the health and safety system effectively. Compliance means the company has taken all reasonable measures to prevent accidents, minimise risks and protect employees.