SGS : Savoie Refractaires Benefits from ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Certification

Savoie Refractaires, part of the Saint-Gobain Group, designs refractories for the glassmaking, energy and metal industries. Since 1992, it has been certified by SGS against ISO 9001, the standard for quality management systems. It has been certified by SGS against ISO 14001, the standard for environmental management systems, since 2009.

By demonstrating Savoie Refractaires' commitment to quality and environmental sustainability, these certifications allow the company to maintain customer trust. Through its ISO 9001 certification, Savoie Refractaires shows that it complies with standards for product quality, professionalism and customer service. ISO 14001 certification demonstrates that the company uses recycling to add value to product lifecycles and limit the impact of waste.

A Cross Functional Approach

Savoie Refractaires takes a cross functional approach, in accordance with certification standards, toward its goal of growing the market for glass consumables. Customer service and efficiency are optimized by linking them to cost, in line with the Saint-Gobain Group's World Class Manufacturing approach. Cross functional teams aim to improve communications and the speed of information processing, as well as the efficiency of production and problem solving. Management takes an active role in ensuring that the requirements set by the standards are met.

Transition to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015

With the help of SGS, Savoie Refractaires plans to begin transitioning to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 in 2018.

By transitioning to ISO 9001:2015, Savoie Refractaires hopes to:

• Improve customer service
• Improve competency management
• Develop a more agile approach toward learning

Objectives for the transition to ISO 14001:2015 include:

• Waste reduction and an increase in recycling
• Reduced environmental impact
• Reduced impact of aqueous waste

The company chose SGS to assist with the transition because of SGS's global experience and professionalism.

When asked about her experience working with SGS, Fabienne Falzon, supervisor of processes & ISOs, stated, 'SGS, a partner for the Saint-Gobain Group, has auditors in many countries and has an international approach to certifications. As the manager for Savoie Refractaires' certification, I appreciate the open mindedness and the professionalism of the auditors. I also appreciate SGS's attention to its clients.'

The Solution | Transition to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015

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About SGS

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 90,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,000 offices and laboratories around the world.