The organic division of the Val Venosta association of co-operatives, known as VI.P, has been recognised for minimising the environmental impact of its processes.
The organisation has completed the ISO 14001:2004 voluntary certification.
Gerhard Eberhöfer, responsible for sales at Bio Val Venosta, said: “Even if the adoption of the ISO 14.001:2004 certification isn’t obligatory, we believe that it is absolutely necessary to act according to the principles of environmental responsibility in the field of organic products.
“This is the reason why the bio department of VI.P adopted the ISO 14.001:2004 certification, which is considered to be a precious added value and not simply a heavy burden. The Bio Val Venosta department has always operated in harmony with nature for protecting the environment and for guaranteeing the consumer a secure product.
“We aim at cultivating apples that are among the best in Europe because of their excellent quality,” he added.
The ISO 14.001:2004 certification allows VI.P to monitor the environmental impacts of its activities, and requires a clear and conscious management system with regard to the consumption of resources (fuel, electricity, packaging, paper and water) and the waste cycle.
VI.P director Josef Wielander said: “This certification is perfectly coherent with the philosophy and history of VI.P. In 1998, VI.P was one of the first companies in Europe to adopt the ISO 9000 certification, for a global quality management system.
“The ISO 14.001:2004 certification constitutes a further step forward towards assuming even more responsibility for both the environment and the final consumer whom we offer the certainty of a product which is not only good and tasty, but also excellent in terms of quality.”
VI.P is planning an external audit programme for both the ISO 9000 and the ISO 14.001:2004 certifications.
Wielander said: “VI.P intends to continue with a coherent certification policy by offering both distributors and consumers a product of the highest quality which can also boast the most important certifications.”
No comments yet