Sandy, Utah (December 04, 1996) -- Becton Dickinson's Sandy, Utah facility has become the first in the company to receive ISO 14001 certification. The plant's Environmental Management System (EMS) is one of only five companies to be certified under the United States accreditation program. The Sandy plant manufactures products for two operating units, Becton Dickinson Worldwide Infusion Therapy and Becton Dickinson Division.

The International Standards Organization (ISO), based in Geneva, was established to facilitate trade and standardize manufacturing practices around the world and across industries. The Sandy certification was based on a three-day audit of the EMS by two representatives from an international certification firm based in Norway. To achieve certification, an EMS must demonstrate a commitment to regulatory compliance as well as to continuous reductions in the negative impact of the manufacturing operation on the environment. The system must provide for regular reviews of objectives and targets and be flexible enough to respond to regulatory changes. The Sandy facility successfully demonstrated that its EMS (which includes policies, procedures, specific goals and action plans) meets the specifications developed by ISO.

"We congratulate the people in our Sandy facility, in close cooperation with the Corporate Safety & Environmental Department, for achieving this major accomplishment in a very short period of time," said Clateo Castellini. "ISO 14001 will help to minimize the adverse impact of our operations on the environment and reinforce our commitment to compliance. We intend, over time, to seek certification on a worldwide basis."

Becton Dickinson Sandy was one of five companies in the United States selected in June to take part in the pilot ISO 14001 certification process. The Sandy facility had already done extensive work on environmental issues, but the pilot required the normal 12-18 month process to be compressed into four months. Members of a cross-functional Environmental Performance Team that manages the Sandy's environmental issues played a key role in meeting certification requirements: Bruce Stevens, engineering services and the team's chairman; Roger Chapman, plant manager - Catheters; Gary Knudsen, safety and security; Chuck Welle, regulatory affairs; John Taylor, scrub products and Mohammad Khan, R&D.

"A lot of people worked together to accomplish this certification in an impressive four-month time period," said Bob Adrion, president, Worldwide Infusion Therapy. "We also recognize the services provided by the Corporate Safety and Environmental Department, including Matt Tracey, Matt Bigley and Glenn Barbi, whose efforts included installation of the SE-Pro computer system critical to achieving certification."