ABSTRACT
Chapter 1, “The Context for Managing Environmental Risk,” presents an overview of the historical and contemporary events that contextualize the trend among many industries and businesses to effectively manage their environmental impacts. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) was founded in 1946 with the twofold mission of (1) promoting the development of standardization and related activities in the world to facilitate the international exchange of goods and services, and (2) developing cooperation in the spheres of intellectual, scientific, technological, and economic activities. ISO formed the Technical Committee (TC) 176 in 1979 to address manufacturing standardization and TC 207 in 1993 to address environmental management standardization. ISO’s published international standards include the 9000 series (originating in 1987), the highly successful forerunner of the 14000 series (originating in 1996). The goal of ISO 14000 is to develop a series of generic standards that provide business management with a structured mechanism to measure and manage environmental risks and impacts. In addition, other international and national organizations have applied social, political, and investment pressures to change business practices.
