Process certification 

In conformance with the Environmental Guidelines, the Group considers the complete and uniform implementation of the Environmental Management System, certified according to ISO 14001 by accredited third parties, to be the best means for achieving a steady and constant reduction in the impact of manufacturing processes and for effectively achieving its environmental objectives.

At year-end 2011, 139 Group plants that account for 97.3% of industrial revenues¹ were ISO 14001 certified. By the end of 2012, all Group plants operating worldwide in 2011 will be ISO 14001 certified.

In 2011, the energy management requirements of the new ISO 50001 standard were integrated into the Environmental Management System affirming the Group’s commitment to addressing all environmental impacts of its processes including those related to climate change. In the same year of the publication of this standard, six plants with high energy requirements (accounting for 5.5% of the Group’s total consumption) attained certification. By 2014, all of the Group’s main plants, accounting for more than 90% of total energy consumption, will be ISO 50001 certified.