top bar

Home > News Release > SNI-Online 20080901

Seicho-No-Ie News

SEICHO-NO-IE’S ACQUISITION OF ISO14001 CERTIFICATION RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL ECOGNITION


INTRODUCED IN ISO HEADQUARTERS’ MAGAZINE

The fact that Seicho-No-Ie, a religious juridical person, acquired ISO14001 certification of its 66 missionary centers, spiritual training centers, and other sites in Japan by March 2008 was introduced in the July-August 2008 issue of the ISO Management Systems (A-4 size, color), the magazine published by the ISO Headquarters.ISO International Organizatioon for Standardization It shows that Seicho-No-Ie’s effort is receiving international recognition and is an activity of great significance.

The Magazine is published every other month by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Headquarters located in Geneva, Switzerland. It introduces ISO management system-related activities in different countries.

The article, “Churches Embrace ISO Management System Standards,” is an eight-page introduction by Dr. Alexander Moutchnik of University of Hidelberg (Germany) about religious groups’ activities toward acquiring ISO certification. Seicho-No-Ie’s activity is introduced through 12 pictures.

The article points out that the acquisition of ISO9001 (quality management) and ISO14001 (environment management) are powerful tools for churches and religious organizations to “improve “accountability to the followers,” “increase donations,” “reduce negative environmental impacts” and “demonstrate social responsibilities.” It notes that this trend is occurring on a global scale and can be seen in various types of major world religious organizations. It then introduces specific examples of activities seen in different countries.

The article says that Seicho-No-Ie acquired ISO14001 certification of its 66 missionary centers, spiritual training centers, and other sites in Japan by 2007 and has started activities toward the acquisition in its major overseas centers (U.S.A., Brazil and the Republic of China).

The article includes pictures to introduce Seicho-No-Ie: Rev. Kazuo Isobe, Chairman and CEO of Religious Juridical Person, “Seicho-No-Ie”; seven Missionary Centers (Sapporo, Kushiro, Obihiro, Chiba, Shiga, Osaka, and Hiroshima); a scene from the Public Lecture Meeting; the photovoltaic at the Main Temple, and cleaning and tree planting activities. The captions for the pictures says that Seicho-No-Ie has taught the importance of the environment since its founding in 1930.

Introduced as other religious organizations which have acquired ISO certification (9001 or 14001) are a Jewish hospital in Brazil, a Hindu temple in Malaysia, a Catholic university in the Philippines, and a Catholic hospital in the U.S.A.

Also the article introduces countries which have set their own environmental standards: in Germany, more than 1,000 churches plan to install an environmental control system by 2010; in Finland, Lutheran churches at more than 100 sites have acquired environmental certification; and in Scotland, 40 churches have won the Eco Church Award.

As benefits of ISO14001 activities, the article cites reduction of negative environmental impacts from religious events and growing awareness about environmental education and environmental issue. It highly evaluates the fact that religious organizations’ adoption of ISO Management System is contributing to the development of sustainable society.

The activities by religious organizations, however, are underestimated within the entire ISO. The article stresses that religious organizations need to exchange opinions about their environmental protection experiences and that ISO consultants, evaluators and researchers focus more on the certification acquisition by religious organizations in the world.

This is the second time that this Magazine has introduced Seicho-No-Ie. The first time was in the January-February 2002 issue, which carried an article about Seicho-No-Ie’s ISO14001 certification acquisition in 2001 and said that Seicho-No-Ie’s religious movement takes ISO14001 seriously.


Remarks by Kazuo Isobe,

Chairman and CEO of Religious Juridical Person, "Seicho-No-Ie", The Top Environmental Management Representative

“I believe that the introduction of Seicho-No-Ie’s serious effort concerning the environmental issue is a source of great encouragement to Seicho-No-Ie’s followers around the world. I hope that it will help propel the Zero Carbon Movement.”