Improving cleaner production by integration into the management of quality, environment and working conditions

Abstract

Cleaner Production Programs are in themselves no guarantee of continuity in environmental progress. Cleaner Production should therefore be integrated into systemic environmental management or an integral management approach. Lessons learned from quality management and the management of working conditions can be valuable for environmental management and vice versa. Research carried out in front runner firms shows that this offers opportunities for win-win situations (there are three types of synergies). It can increase effectiveness and acceptance of environmental management, while reducing costs. As a consequence, several front runner firms develop integral approaches of environmental management and the management of quality and working conditions. It is very important to manage relevant organizational learning processes in order to facilitate continuous improvement; this has the character of ‘learning to learn’. Nevertheless these organizational learning processes can be managed systematically. Like Cleaner Production Programs, standardization of management systems (environment, quality, safety and health) should have the aim of continuous improvement as their starting point. Standards should also favour synergy between the three management systems (quality, environment and working conditions) and learning processes necessary for proactive approaches. Recent developments in standardization are discussed in this respect.