SON re-certifies Unilever as environmentally friendly organisation

By Akin Adewakun, Lagos - updated: Friday 30-10-2009

From right, Mr. Thomas Boedinger,
Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria;
Mr. John Sule, Director, System and
Metrology, Standards Organisation of Nigeria,
representative of the Director-General, SON;
and Mr. Arthur Mamvura, Supply Chain
Director, Unilever, at the presentation of
NIS ISO 14001: 2004 Environmental
Management System to Unilever in Lagos,
on Monday. In recognition of its conformity to the re- quirements of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria’s NIS ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system standard, Unilever Nigeria’s factories have been recertified with NIS ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System standard by SON.

The journey for the lofty achievement began in 2006 when the company achieved the first ISO 14001 environmental management system certification by the SON.

In line with the requirements, Unilever applied for re-certification this year and after the SON audit of June 29th and July 3rd, 2009, it was found worthy of recertification.

At the presentation ceremony in Unilever Nigeria headquarters in Lagos on Monday, Mr. John Sule, Director, System and Metrology, SON, representing the Director General, Mr. John Akanya said, "By this achievement, Unilever Nigeria Plc has joined the lofty class of environmental management system certified companies in Nigeria.

This is a giant stride in your pursuit of ensuring that your products and activities are safe and environmentally friendly."

According to him, the challenges of globalisation are the driving forces for doing business and maintaining relevance at both national and international markets, adding that while considering the ever-changing customer requirements, efforts to develop innovative products and processes which reduce environment impact should be considered.