The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) plans to issue revisions to the 9001 and 14001 standards by the end of 2015. These standards relate to quality management systems (9001) and environmental management systems (14001). Organizations certified in either of these standards must attain compliance by the end of the transition period, which is three years from the revision’s issue date.

The EPA uses the 2015 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP), a part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), to regulate pollutant levels in stormwater discharges from industrial facilities. The MSGP applies to areas of the United States where the EPA is the NPDES permitting authority; in most parts of the country however, state governments hold this authority. When seeking

Customers expect consistent delivery of high quality products and services—an ongoing challenge for every business. It is important that each employee, from management to the front line, understands their duties, and the proper way to accomplish them. For this reason, many businesses, nonprofits, and government agencies implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs ensure consistent quality of products and services, employee

Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) is a non-profit organization that promotes environmentally friendly practices for vineyards and wineries through education and certification using international standards in sustainable viticulture and enology practices. Nearly 300 vineyards and 40 wineries in Oregon and Washington are enrolled in LIVE. The program recently expanded to include Idaho and British Columbia. To be LIVE certified,

Wise businesses think carefully before going through the effort and expense to procure and/or upgrade an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system.  In this blog post, we incorporate lessons from management systems implementation to make the case that businesses should map their business processes out prior to selecting an ERP system.  There are two key points to consider if your

A reminder to Washington Industrial Stormwater General Permit (ISGP) holders: a new ISGP was issued on December 3, 2014 and went into effect on January 2, 2015. We encourage you to review the new permit, as it contains changes that may affect your business. A summary of the most significant changes can be found here. They include: • Additional SWPPP

Freer Consulting Co. announces its new White Paper series covering a range of topics of interest to businesses seeking information on industry trends, regulatory developments, international standards, business processes and more that will help you to think smarter and reach solutions faster. Download our latest White Paper here. Also, please see our Think Tank, where you can find information on

As 2014 ends and 2015 approaches, we find ourselves reflecting on another busy year at Freer Consulting Company. The range and diversity of this year’s accomplishments bring to focus the comprehensive offerings that distinguish Freer Consulting from other firms of its kind. Our flexibility and expertise allow us to tailor our business services to provide the “right fit” for each

International standards play a significant role in the maritime construction industry. Whether your company builds vessels, provides parts for vessels, or manages the construction of vessels, such standards likely guide your processes and deliverables, and often serve to meet the minimum requirements of your customers. What do you do when a customer provides technical specifications that require adherence to one

Consistent, clear, and usable process documentation, including a clear chain of responsibility and management of change, is a key aspect of any management system. Documentation allows companies to monitor and audit processes, streamline business practices, and continually improve products and services. When processes change, document revisions clearly communicate and track the change. International standards, such as ISO 9001 and 2923,