Just for Smiles is a “Sustainable Company”
Shortly before Christmas, our Foundation was ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified and thus received the label “Sustainable Company TM” – a great present for the end of the year!
After an ISO certification process lasting several months (see below), our Foundation received this label. Although the concept of a sustainable company is still little known to the general public, more and more companies and organisations in the country have already had themselves certified as such.
A “Sustainable Enterprise” is……
The award of the “Sustainable EnterpriseTM” label is based on prior certification to ISO 9001 – Quality Management System – and ISO 14001 – Environmental Management System – and requires compliance with a number of additional requirements arising from the ISO 26000 criteria. These are in the areas of corporate governance, human rights, working conditions, environment, fair practices, respect for customers and civic engagement. The criteria can be viewed here.
As www.entreprise-citoyenne.ch describes, a sustainable enterprise can be recognised if it takes social and environmental dimensions into account in its activities and in its relations with its stakeholders.” (…)
This description fits perfectly with the way we conceive and carry out our activities, our governance and our vision at Just for Smiles. In fact, we have been awarded this seal because our commitments meet the requirements of the seal:
- “Governing with vision and integrity.
- Listening and respecting and adding value to customers
- Commit to respecting the environment in relation to their activities
- Respect the principle of loyalty in professional and commercial practices
- Commitment to community, local development
- Promote lasting relationships with all stakeholders
- Combat occupational and non-occupational accidents
- Continuously improve the working environment
- Involve employees and use their talent
- Respect for fundamental human rights”.
We emphasise this last point because it has been the essence of our work since our foundation was established almost 20 years ago. As the foreword to our Ethical Principles states: “For us, it is inconceivable that environments and nature activities, which are sources of development and enjoyment for everyone, should not be accessible to certain people. (…) In this sense, we want to develop and change attitudes. We are trying to develop activities capable of bringing about long-term changes in general behaviour towards the most affected, towards people with multiple disabilities or with limited mobility.”
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Pre-certification ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
The entire Just for Smiles staff team has sought certification to ISO 9001 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management System) standards in order to achieve the Sustainable EnterpriseTM designation. The label requires compliance with a whole range of additional requirements (from the ISO 26000 criteria) in the areas of corporate governance, human rights, working conditions, environment, fair practices, respect for customers and civic engagement. (ew)