The Environmental Stewardship Program, administered by the Kitchen Cabinet
Manufacturers Association, is designed to encourage and recognize manufacturers that
employ the use of policies and practices that benefit the environment and the well-being
of society. Merillat is proud to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability
through this program's certification.
Certification is awarded based on compliance in five categories, containing 18
different criteria.
AIR QUALITY:
- Particleboard purchased meets the formaldehyde emission level of the CPA EPPS CPA 2-06 Specification: 75% or greater1,3
- MDF purchased meets the formaldehyde emission level of the CPA EPPS CPA 2-06 Specification: 75% or greater2,3
- Plywood purchased meets PS-13 for Construction and Industrial panels or ANSI/HPVA HP-13 for formaldehyde emissions: 75% or greater
- 75% of finished products are finished domestically and finishes used emit no greater HAPS than allowed by local plant operating permits
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT-PRODUCT:
- Particleboard purchased meets the CPA EPPS CPA 2-06 Specification for recycled/recovered fiber content: 75% or greater
- MDF purchased meets the CPA EPPS CPA 2-06 Specification for recycled/recovered fiber content: 75% or greater
- A written training plan is utilized on an annual basis to educate hardwood suppliers of our purchasing preference for certified hardwood lumber
- Hardwoods purchased are certified through a recognized sustainable forestry program
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT-PROCESS:
- An active recycling program is in place for process wastes in at least two of the following product categories: Cardboard, Paper, Plastic, Wood, Solvents
- A program is in place for tracking and reducing process wastes with documented goals and reports
- Utilization of internal or external process by-products to generate alternate energy services, e.g. electricity, steam, or other
- Documented energy conservation program is established
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
- A firm commitment to environmental quality as evidenced by a written policy statement
- An Environmental Management System (EMS) in place, certified by a third party.
- Environmental practices and policies of its key vendors and contractors are reviewed on a regular basis
- A documented program is in place which promotes the use of renewable/recycled materials or products
COMMUNITY RELATIONS:
- Demonstrates community involvement and leadership through service or charitable organizations
- There are no major non-compliance citations from any Federal, state or local environmental regulatory agency in the previous 12 months
- 1 Remaining 25% must meet ANSI A208.1
- 2 Remaining 25% must meet ANSI A208.2
- 3 Requires 3rd party certification
ISO 14001 Certification
ISO 14001 is a voluntary standard which helps companies identify, prioritize, and
manage its environmental risks in an effort to reduce the impact of operations on the
environment. This standard requires that an organization implement a series of practices
and procedures that, when taken together, result in an environmental management
system (EMS).
All Merillat facilities have obtained ISO 14001 certificate of approval by
Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance. The major requirements of an EMS under
ISO 14001 include:
- A policy statement which includes commitments to prevention of pollution, continual improvement of the EMS leading to improvements in overall environmental performance, and compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Identification of all aspects of the organization's activities, products, and services that could have a significant impact on the environment, including those that are not regulated.
- Setting performance objectives and targets for the management system which link back to the three commitments established in the organization's policy (i.e. prevention of pollution, continual improvement, and compliance)
- Implementing the EMS to meet these objectives. This includes activities like training of employees, establishing work instructions and practices, and establishing the actual metrics by which the objectives and targets will be measured.
- Establishing a program to periodically audit the operation of the EMS
- Checking and taking corrective and preventive actions when deviations from the EMS occur, including periodically evaluating the organization's compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
- Undertaking periodic reviews of the EMS by top management to ensure its continuing performance and making adjustments to it, as necessary.
Source: http://www.merillat.com/
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