Sustainable development and the Agency's business
Monday 21 November 2005
In running its business the Food Standards Agency is committed to pursuing sound environmental practices and is working towards the implementation of an Environmental Management System based on the ISO14001 standard.
The Agency has already taken action to conserve energy, to use electricity from renewable sources and to reduce and recycle waste, for example by using 100% recycled paper and providing paper and plastic recycling facilities in its offices.
It actively encourages the procurement of products based on recycled material and produced with due consideration to energy efficiency, and has taken account of the Government�s Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative in tendering for its catering.
It is fully committed to conserving energy, water and other resources and to reducing waste and will continue to develop strategies to improve its environmental performance.
How the Agency treats its staff
The Agency promotes the social aspects of sustainable development by giving strong recognition to the importance of a good work/life balance among its staff.
It achieved Investors in People (IiP) accreditation in 2004, recognising that it achieves business goals by maximising people�s performance.
Over the next two years the Agency shall be striving to achieve re-accreditation against the new IiP standard with the more demanding emphasis on effective management and employee involvement.
It has also been awarded the Disability Symbol (two ticks) by the Employment Service.