Environment protection and standardization

• AD MEPSO is a company of strategic importance to the Republic of Macedonia. It is centrally positioned in the power sector and enormously significant for the economic system of the Republic of Macedonia. The obligations arise from it for AD MEPSO to stand as a socially responsible company making efforts to implement the ISO operating standards.
  
  
  ISO 14001:2004
  
  The implementation of the Environment Protection Management System (EPMS) has the objective to introduce and certificate the ISO 14001 standard related to the environment protection.
  
  One of the main principles of ISO 14001 is transparency in operation and entire information to employees on company’s aspect towards environment.
  
  An introductory workshop of EPMS was held and presented on company’s intranet on 15 February 2008, so that all employees may read it. It also explains that EPMS is a package of activities planned and coordinated with the aim to prevent unfavourable impacts on environment as well as to promote actions and activities to protect environment and/or improve its quality.
  
  It is also explained that EPMS is a systematic approach towards care of environment in all spheres of AD MEPSO operation enabling financial benefit (protection, increase in efficiency, market potential); removing the risk of inadequate image; gaining environmental performances.
  
  The workshop explains that EPMS will enable AD MEPSO to identify and control the aspects of environmental, impacts and risks relevant to AD MEPSO (it was adopted on 17 November 2006 by the Board of Directors); defining the basic principals for future environmental responsibilities; documenting the tasks, responsibilities and procedures to ensure that any employee makes efforts to reduce or eliminate the negative impact on environment; strengthening the environment awareness (trainings); measuring and determining the environment performances; promoting AD MEPSO as a modern company, recognizable by its performances in the country, region and wider, presenting the AD MEPSO visions in order to maintain balance between economic and social goals and environment goals.
  
  According to the principles of the standard, a group of auditors was set up which will perform internal controls of standard functioning in the organization each six months. An introductory workshop was prepared and presented on intranet on auditors activities on 21 February 2008. A workshop was prepared ,,Procedures for implementation” of EMPS and presented on intranet on 22 April 2008. A workshop ISO 14001-Environment aspects-Procedure 1, was presented on intranet on 23 April 2008.
  
  According to such AD MEPSO efforts, Tender Documentation was produced and public notice conducted to provide services in relation to certificate the international standard ISO 14001:2004. The public procurement was not implemented in 2008 due to unsatisfactory Tenders received.
  
  
  ISO 9001:2008
  
  In its efforts to operate according to the principles of international standards, in 2008 AD MEPSO conducted public procurement procedure “ Services to establish documentary system of quality control based on international standard requirements ISO 9001:2000.
  The public procurement was successfully conducted and contract signed with Chamber of Commerce of Macedonia (the contract was signed in February 2009, and the Chamber of Commerce started its consultancy services on 3 March 2009).
  
  In 2008 an introductory workshop was prepared and implemented with respect to Quality Management System (QMS) and presented on intranet on 29 February 2008. It explains the meaning of ISO 9001 and/or provides explanation of QMS principals, the objectives to reach quality, usefulness of QMS implementation related to the AD MEPSO activities such as provision of transparent organization, improvement in internal communication, installing necessary operating procedure including making official the already existing procedures, ensuring internal control, determining or limiting responsibilities and accountancy and improvement of awareness for quality.
  
  ISO 26000 – Social Enterprise Accountancy (SEA)
  
  In 2008 AD MEPSO participated in the regional UNDP project on Social Enterprise Accountancy (SEA) based on ISO 26000 principals. This is a standard which the international community is still working on.
  An introductory workshop on Social Enterprise Accountancy (SEA) was organized and this was presented on AD MEPSO intranet on 15 February 2008.
  
  This workshop explains that Social Enterprise Accountancy (SEA) or corporate social accountancy means a concept by which the companies integrate the social aspect, economic aspects, quality efforts and environment in their business operations and integration with participants.
  
  The employees get to know the fact that a SEA advisory body was established at the Economic and Social Council within the Government of RM, which is a contribution to the Europe integration efforts of RM. In October 2008 the SEA National agenda was adopted. In that context AD MEPSO workshop was organized – SEA National agenda and presented on intranet on 11 December 2008.
  
  
  Chronology of activities
  
  For the purpose of informing the employees the following was presented on intranet:
  15 February 2008 – EPMS introductory workshop;
  AD MEPSO introductory workshop – Socially accountable enterprise;
  21 February 2008 – introductory workshop for AUDITORIES;
  29 February 2008 – Draft policy of quality;
  SEA introductory workshop;
  22 April 2008 - a Day of Earth Planet;
  EPMS – Implementation procedures;
  23 April 2008 - ISO 14001- Environmental aspects - Procedure 1;
  30 April 2008 -28 April – World Day of Security and Health at Work;
  SEA – Risk management in working environment;
  SEA – Social revision;
  12 June 2008 - Key Information on International Campaign “Health Jobs –Good for Us - Good for our Business”
  11 December 2008 - AD MEPSO – SEA National agenda