Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2
Environmental Standardization
for Sustainability
John W. Bagby
Pennsylvania State University, USA
ABSTRACT
It is axiomatic that environmental controls are expressed as environmental standards, a traditional
driver of investment in pollution control. Environmental standards spur investment in green technologies
that promise to stimulate sustainable business models. The institutional framework of environmental
standardization is complex; a widely misunderstood political process. A variety of standardization ac-
tivities have impacted environmental protection historically and are now poised for further growth as
green market discipline proliferates. Environmental standardization is a unique fusion of technology
design and public policy development involving various constituencies: environmentalists, technologists,
legislatures, regulators, standards-setting bodies, upstream suppliers, downstream users, and society's
affected communities. This chapter reviews the role of standardization activities in setting environmental
constraints, in the development of green technologies, and in establishing metrics for environmental
certification and monitoring. The implications of managing environmental standardization to attract
financing for sustainable business models are so significant that disregarding the risks of environmental
standardization imperils competitiveness.
INTRODUCTION
standards emanating from governments (regional,
national, provincial, local), from industry associa-
tions and also have been developed from private
contracts. Environmental standards serve as the
traditional and most forceful driver in design,
development and deployment of pollution con-
Generally it is recognized that environmental
controls are expressed largely in environmental
