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Haychem receives ISO 14001 Environment Certification

Haychem (Pvt) Limited, an associate of Hayleys Agro Products Limited (HAPL), was certified compliant with ISO 14001:2004, the world’s most stringent Environmental Management Standard (EMS).

Haychem is one of the few companies in the agro industry to have both ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2000 certification.

The ISO 14001:2004 certification by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) covers all company activities in formulating, packaging, storing and supply of pesticides used for agricultural and household purposes and the packaging, storing and supply of speciality fertilizer and seeds.

The rigorous audit for ISO 14001:2004 scrutinises the company’s efforts in establishing an environmental policy, determining environmental aspects and impacts of products, activities and services, planning environmental objectives and measurable targets, implementation and operation of programs to meet objectives and targets, checking and corrective action, and management review.

“Although achieving eco-friendly operations is the ultimate objective of this exercise, preparation for the audit was in itself a great learning experience,” said Hayleys Group Director and Managing Director of Hayleys Agro, Rizvi Zaheed.

“Together with the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management certification received by the company, this new environment management standard makes Haychem one of just a few companies in this sector to achieve such a high degree of best practice,” he said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Hayleys Agro Products Limited, Upali Gangoda, said ISO 14001 certification is a management tool that helps the company to improve environmental performances by providing guidelines and a starting baseline.

“The whole system is based on Aspect-Impact analysis of each and every activity within an organization opening the path to continual improvement,” he said.

ISO 14001 certification ensures sustainable development of an organization through a focus on potential environmental risks and a focus on safeguarding the organization, property, employees, customers and partners from potential hazardous impacts.

It also helps improve the credibility of the company, provides internal confidence to the management and external confidence to other stakeholders.

“This certification also helps achieve and maintain compliance with legislation and other regulatory requirements and extracts commitment from all employees and top management towards environmental issues and involvement to find solutions,” Gangoda said.

“It helps minimise spillage and wastage of materials and resources in every possible way and increases profitability, upgrades the level of house keeping and employee work discipline while enhancing the cultural and social image of the company,” he said.

C T A Schaffter Awards for Wayamba University degree holders

Janashakthi Insurance Co. PLC in recognition of its founder Chandra Schaffter awarded the top three students who excelled in the degree they read in, Insurance and Valuation, for the second consecutive year.

Medallions in the categories of gold, silver and bronze with cash awards were awarded in recognition of their achievements.

The awards ceremony took place in the presence of the Managing Director, Janashakthi Insurance Co. PLC, Prakash Schaffter, Department Heads and the Head of Department of the faculty of the Wayamba University Aminda Perera.

Polycrome appoints distributor for Balapitiya

Polycrome Electrical Industries recently added to its fast expanding network of islandwide distributors with the appointment of Messrs W.J. De Silva as Distributor of Polycrome electrical accessories for the Balapitiya area.

Polycrome Electrical Industries occupies a major share of the market in the production of electrical accessories in Sri Lanka and enjoys market leadership positions in several types of electrical accessories.

In business for the past 26 years it is a 100 per cent local company. Polycrome has received several awards and certifications for high quality electrical accessories, having pioneered the awarding of SLS certification for quality electrical accessories in Sri Lanka, and was also conferred ISO-9001 certification for international standard operations.

The company was recently recognized with the Mawbima Lanka Padanama award, which rewards high quality 100 per cent locally manufactured products that can be purchased locally.

Polycrome manufactures 57 types of electrical accessories.

PICO Women’s Day

Intertrade Lanka Management (PICO) is organising a women’s day program conducted by Women’s Chamber from March 6 to 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day celebrations at the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre (SLECC).

“This is a special day for women where they can be educated on self-employment, new career opportunities, beauty tips and also discuss important health issues,” said Executive Director, Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, Shanthi Outschoorn told Daily News Business.

“This exhibition is the right place to gain ideas for women who want to start their own businesses and also discuss new business opportunities,” she said.

A series of programs have also been organised giving priority to women to undergo medical tests such as pap tests, diabetics and osteoporoses.

“Most of the time women have never tried these medical tests and may be this can be a good opportunity in their lives,” she said.

The other activities at the exhibition include cookery and handicraft demos and games where participants could win attractive prizes.