Eastern Smelting & Refining Wins Twin ISO Certification
20 March 2000
Eastern Smelting & Refining Becomes the First Precious Metal Refiner in the U.S. to Win Twin ISO Certification
LYNN, Mass.--March 20, 2000--Eastern Smelting & Refining Corp., with two ISO certificates, is the first precious metal refiner in the United States to be both ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 certified.ISO 9002 is the universally accepted standard for quality management, while ISO 14001 is the accepted world standard for the management of environmental systems.
"We know that our customers have many choices when it comes to selecting a refiner to handle their waste and scrap needs. Going through the demanding ISO certification process emphasizes our commitment to offering them the industry's most reliable reclamation processes and services. The end result is the best possible recovery for our customers," said Michael T. Gervais, Eastern's vice president of sales and marketing.
"We have gone through the ISO process of re-examining our policies, procedures, and documentation. As a result, we have streamlined our operations and improved our ability to process shipments quickly and accurately," he added.
ISO 9002 certification assures Eastern's customers that all checks and balances are in place to maintain high-quality processes from receipt of scrap materials through customer settlement.
Likewise, ISO 14001 certification means that Eastern's procedures for handling and processing of environmentally sensitive and hazardous materials meet the strictest requirements.
"Eastern does business both domestically and internationally with many companies that are themselves ISO certified. We believe that these industries are eagerly seeking ISO 9002 and 14001 certified partners to process their metals and help fulfill their environmental obligations," said Gervais.
According to Todd Vesty of Cavendish Scott, Inc., an international consulting firm that assists US companies in obtaining certification: "Eastern is a very forward thinking company. What could have been a very difficult project involving two standards was made easier because their existing systems are of such a high standard."
The International Organization for Standardization, the Swiss-based group that sets and monitors ISO standards, reports that in 1999 there were more than 26,000 ISO registrants in the U.S. ISO 14000 registrants, worldwide, reached 8,000 by late 1998 with most in Europe, and Japan and 600 in the U.S.
About Eastern Smelting & Refining
Founded in 1896, Eastern Smelting & Refining is one of the nation's oldest and leading refiners of precious metal scrap. Eastern specializes in processing most forms of scrap, waste, and residue containing gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The company serves such key industries as microelectronics, electronics, defense, photography, dental, jewelry manufacturing, specialty chemicals, fertilizers, catalysts, and mining. With thousands of customers in 20 countries, Eastern has become a vital link in the manufacturing cycle of industrial companies around the world.
Eastern holds both ISO 9002 and ISO 14001 certification. ISO 9002 establishes the standard for a firm's quality processes. ISO 14001 sets the standard for environmental management. ISO certification reinforces the company's long-standing commitment to implement processes and procedures that meet established international standards. For further information please visit the company's web site at www.eastern-smelting.com, or call Jeanne Hill, customer care manager, at 781-309-2015.