LRQA to verify airlines carbon data in accordance with the EU ETS

LRQA among the first firms entrusted by United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) as deadline nears

Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) has been chosen to support the global airline industry's efforts to measure and offset the carbon emissions they produce when flying to and from European airports, as the EC's member countries look to reduce the impact of global warming.

LRQA was accredited by UKAS to independently verify emissions-related data submitted by the individual airlines in accordance with legislation created to support the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2011.

The inclusion of some 4,000 airlines in the EU ETS, the world's largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions-trading scheme, is expected to increase the annual amount of CO₂ monitored under the scheme by about 10%, or to 1.85 billion tonnes. It currently covers about 12,000 installations.

“This is a significant expansion in the number of organisations requiring data verification in a very short period, so it is vital that aircraft operators engage with accredited verifiers as soon as possible to ensure a positive result before this tight deadline,” said Madlen King, Global Head of Climate Change for LRQA. “Gaining accreditation by UKAS demonstrates the competence, impartiality and performance capability of the assessors at LRQA.”

The EU ETS is one means by which the European Community intends to meet is commitments under the Kyoto Protocol, namely reducing its GHG emissions by at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020, and by 30% if other developed countries commit themselves to similar targets.

The role of a verification body within that scheme is to provide confidence in the data reported by independently assessing the emissions and tonne-kilometre reports from the installations and operators that are obligated to submit.

"Some of our team were involved in the drafting of the monitoring and reporting guidelines for aviation’s inclusion in the scheme, so we have plenty of experience providing verifications for aircraft operators," said King. "This, together with our phased approach to verification spread over the coming months means that we are uniquely placed to ensure a positive result for these mandatory reports."

Notes to editors

LRQA is a member of the Lloyd’s Register Group. We are a leading independent provider of Business Assurance services including certification, validation, verification and training. The Group enhances the safety of life, property and the environment by helping our clients to ensure the quality construction and operation of critical infrastructure. It comprises charities and non-charitable entities, which support the charities in their main goal.

Further information: Alex Briggs
Marketing Communications Manager, LRQA Centre
T +44 (0)24 7688 2382
Email: alex.briggs@lrqa.com

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TWI receives Health and Safety certificate from Lloyd’s Register CEO

On 18 January 2010, TWI Ltd was presented with a certificate to mark its achievement of certification to OHSAS 18001 - Occupational Health and Safety Management System.

The certificate was presented to TWI’s Chief Executive, Bob John, by Richard Sadler, CEO of Lloyd’s Register Group and current President of The Welding Institute.

Richard Sadler, Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd’s Register Group, remarked on the very positive feedback he had heard from the LRQA Assessor, and said: “The attainment of this standard shows TWI’s commitment and desire to take safety to a higher level.  All practical activities which reduce risk, help to take the business forward.”

Bob John, Chief Executive, The Welding Institute, on receiving the certificate said:
“We are delighted to receive this important health and safety certificate, which we can add to our past achievements, in recognition of the hard work from all our staff.”

This standard specifies the requirements for an occupational health and safety management system, to enable an organisation to control its OH&S risks, meet legal requirements and improve its performance. 

As an already ISO 9001 registered organisation, TWI took the LRQA Prism approach to installing a Safety Management System (SMS).  Over a period of approximately 12 months, the TWI team carefully planned and implemented the SMS in stages.  Each stage was then reviewed by the assessor over 6 visits.  The work of the TWI team has reinforced the safety culture of the organisation, and has developed an effective SMS which will be a key driver for safety improvement within the organisation.

The overall aim of the standard is to support and promote good occupational health and safety practices, in balance with socio-economic needs.

This new certificate complements TWI Ltd’s existing certificated management systems for Quality (ISO 9001) and Environment (ISO 14001) to demonstrate the company’s commitment to continuing improvement for customers, staff and the environment.

Further information: Christina Blyth
PR Officer. LRQA
T +44 (0) 24 7688 2213
Email:christina.blyth@lrqa.com

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