Chattanooga Company Named One of Five in U.S. to be Authorized to Certify ISO 14000 Environmental Compliance.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 1996--Advanced Waste Management Systems, a Chattanooga company, was announced June 14 as one of five U.S. companies selected to participate in a pilot Environmental Management System (EMS) accreditation program to meet the needs of U.S. businesses in earning ISO 14000 registration. When accreditation is completed later this year, AWMS will be authorized to certify compliance with ISO 14000 guidelines.

"This means a Chattanooga company will be providing a very scarce and valuable environmental management service for exporters," said Dr. Richard Ellis, President of Advanced Waste Management Systems. "It probably won't focus a lot of public attention on Chattanooga, but it will give Chattanooga a high profile among companies that need this service -- any manufacturer engaging in export."

ISO 14000 is a set of voluntary international environmental management standards designed to establish "a common worldwide approach to management systems that will lead to the protection of the earth's environment while spurring international trade and commerce," according to information published by the standards' creator, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Although the ISO 14000 series has not yet been widely accepted in the United States, European companies have been quicker to adopt the voluntary standards.

According to Ellis, eco-labeling programs in Europe have become de facto trade barriers for some American companies. The reason, however, is consumer preference, not governmental requirements. Eco-labels alert consumers that certain products are environmentally friendly. The resulting consumer demand for eco-labeled products is so great that many overseas retailers will not carry American products that don't have an eco-label. In addition, many governments and corporations consider a product's environmental impact or a company's environmental management policies in making purchasing decisions and in awarding contracts.

By following ISO 14000 guidelines -- and being certified by an approved auditor like Ellis' company -- an exporter can eliminate that barrier because the ISO standards are internationally recognized.

Since word of Friday's announcement began to spread, Ellis says, "The phone's been ringing off the hook. We've been contacted by two large multinational R&D and consulting firms that provide consulting services to their clients to get ready for ISO 14000 certification. The certification process is the final step, and we will provide that certification. Without us there's no way to close the loop."

CONTACT: Chattanooga News Bureau, Chattanooga

Rich Bailey, 423/756-2515, ext. 142

or

Advanced Waste Management Systems

Richard Ellis, 423/843-2206