Belgian plant goes green

The AMI Semiconductor manufacturing facility in Oudenaarde, Belgium has achieved ISO14001 certification.

The AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) manufacturing facility in Oudenaarde, Belgium has achieved ISO14001 certification.

The standard specifies a framework for an environmental management system.

The company's manufacturing facility in Pocatello, Idaho, USA, has been targeted for certification in 2003.

The focus on environmental impact and good environmental management has grown significantly within the semiconductor industry in recent years.

Also for AMIS, environmental care is key to conducting business.

The control system and strategy in place at AMIS goes beyond legislative requirements and demonstrates that good environmental care can result in processes that also reduce overall costs.

ISO14001 certification illustrates the ability of AMIS to meet tough industry standards and the seriousness with which it takes environmental protection.

Commenting on the approval, Johan Heyman, Vice President European Operations at AMIS said: "ISO14001 is very important to AMIS, it shows the community and our customers that we are mindful of our environmental responsibilities".

He continued: "Through strong technical ability and innovation we have been able to go beyond legislative requirements and have implemented a number of important changes to our processes and methodology that make significant improvements from an environmental viewpoint".

The changes at AMIS include a reduction in quantities used of certain raw materials; this has been achieved following thorough engineering studies.

In certain cases it has also been possible to replace the use of chemicals with ones that are far less environmentally sensitive.

ISO14001 is part of the ISO14000 series of standards on environmental management.

This International Standard specifies requirements for an environmental management system, to enable an organisation to formulate a policy and objectives taking into account legislative requirements and other potential environmental impacts.

It applies to those environmental aspects that the organisation can control and be expected to influence.

The ISO14001 standard meets the demands of the international business community to have a worldwide standard for environmental management systems.

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