An Indian micro enterprise manufacturing electronics items for automotive parts located in National Capital Region (NCR) in the northern part of India and run by a proprietor had never interacted with the environmental authorities and was not having any environmental permit (called Consent and Authorization). When it went for ISO 14001 certification, it was told to go and get these permits. The company followed one of the most ethical practices. It declared all the environmental information of more than a decade of its operations and decided not to interface with the regulatory agencies. It gave it in writing that it was willing to pay all the penalties and/or interests due and would like to have all the required permits. The shine and pride in eyes of the management and employees was a testimony to the benefit it brought to the organization.

Health & Safety Story

A growing Indian enterprise whose owner is well known for its innovative start up established a new manufacturing unit for lead acid batteries. It decided to go for OHSAS 18001:2007 at that point of time. While developing its Occupational Health & Safety Management System, it found that more than 50% of its workforce that was taken from other similar industries as they had past work exposure had high level of lead levels in the blood due to their prior exposure. Although it had not carried out pre-employment check-ups, it did this test for all its employees from one of the most premium diagnostic laboratories in the country. It also shared all reports of exceedance of lead levels in the blood to the Directorate of Factories as required by the Indian regulations.