10 Environmental Standards that a Company Must Meet

Some examples of environmental standards that a company must comply with are restrictions on the disposal of liquids or pollutants in the atmosphere, recycling or the use of non-toxic materials.

The environmental standards that a company must comply with depend on the legal framework of each country. In general, an environmental standard is a provision of law that establishes the extent to which polluting substances will be considered acceptable and safe for both human health and the environment..

These standards are agreed between the different sectors of society. However, motivated by the diversity of circumstances worldwide, it has been difficult to establish general standards.

Instead, generic standards are available that serve as a reference framework for both local and certification bodies to design their standards..

Examples of environmental regulations for companies in Latin American countries

Each country has a legal framework that seeks to protect the environment. Many of these environmental standards obey international agreements signed by the governments of each nation. Some of these standards are briefly described below.

Colombian companies

1-In Colombia, both public and private companies must pay the State a remuneration rate (tax) if they release waste from their commercial activity into the environment.

This tax is due to the harmful consequences to the environment that this release of waste can cause..

2-On the other hand, companies must guarantee that, when storing raw materials or finished products, they do not have the possibility of reaching the drainage system or natural water sources.

Chilean companies

3-Chilean companies must respect the regulations on liquid waste. The industrial establishments that generate liquid waste, according to the law, must not exceed the maximum concentration of pollutants allowed to be discharged into marine and continental water bodies of the Republic. If the limit is exceeded, it is subject to penalties.

4-Similarly, companies involved in the execution of urban development projects, tourism, industrial or real estate projects, must submit their project to an environmental impact assessment study.

This aims to analyze the alteration of the environment, as a direct or indirect consequence of said project..

Mexican companies

5-According to Mexican environmental regulations, industries cannot emit substances that pollute the atmosphere, generate disturbances in the ecological regime of the emission area or cause damage to the environment..

In any case, the emission of hazardous materials or wastes into the environment must be authorized by the State..

6-In Mexico, the destination of wastewater is also regulated. Companies require permission from the Federal Executive to discharge, either occasionally or permanently, wastewater from their processes into national water bodies or the sewerage system..

In addition, they must request permission to allow these to infiltrate the subsoil with the consequent risk of contamination of water sources..

Venezuelan companies

7-Venezuelan companies that produce or handle hazardous substances, materials or wastes are required to package and label them properly.

Information on the type of substance / product and its components should be included on the labels..

Likewise, they must indicate the danger they represent to health or the environment, suggested protections, first aid procedures and management protocols in case of spills..

8-On the other hand, the companies found guilty in acts against the environment will be sanctioned with fines, prohibitions to carry out the activity that caused the environmental damage, suspensions for extended periods and prohibition of contracting with the State.

Argentine companies

9-In the Argentine nation, any company that carries out activities that are risky for the environment and ecosystems must contract an insurance policy with sufficient coverage to restore any damage that may be caused..

10-When a company incurs environmental damage, executives in administration, direction or management positions are jointly and severally liable for the sanctions to which the company could have been deserved..

References

1. National Environmental Information System (SINIA). (s / f). What are environmental standards? Retrieved on October 13, 2017, from sinia.cl.
2. Dankers, C. (2004). Social and environmental standards, certification and labeling of commercial crops. Rome: FAO.
3. Law N ° 99. General Environmental Law of Colombia. Official Gazette No. 41,146, Colombia, December 22, 1993.
4. Law No. 9. National Health Code. Official Gazette No. 35308. Bogotá, Colombia, January 24, 1979.
5. Decree No. 90. Emission Standard for the Regulation of Pollutants Associated with Discharges of Liquid Waste to Marine and Continental Surface Waters. Official Gazette 07.03.2001. Santiago, Chile, May 30, 2000.
6. Decree No. 90. Regulation of the Environmental Impact Assessment System. Santiago, Chile, October 30, 2012.
7. General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection. Mexico, D. F., Mexico, December 22, 1987.
8. National Waters Law. Mexico City, Mexico, December 1, 1992.
9. Law No. 55. Law on Hazardous Substances, Materials and Wastes. Official Gazette 5.554. Caracas, Venezuela, November 13, 2001.
10. Criminal Law of the Environment. Official Gazette No. 4358. Caracas, Venezuela, January 3, 1992.
11. National Law No. 25,675. General Law of the Environment. Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, July 5, 1993.
12. Law No. 25612. Comprehensive management of industrial waste and service activities. Official Gazette of 07/29/2002. Buenos Aires, Argentine Republic, July 3, 2002.