Environmental issues revealed in certified bottling companies in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze findings found in environmental management systems implemented in nine certified bottling companies in the Republic of Serbia. During initial, surveillance and certificate renewal audits, a total of 158 nonconformities were issued. The results indicated that the majority of nonconformities found during initial audits were grouped in environmental elements (51.3%), in which legal requirements prevail. During surveillance audits, the majority of nonconformities were related to various environmental impacts (59.5%), such as management of hazardous materials, waste management, control of subcontractors and persons working for and on behalf of the companies. After three years of implementing requirements of ISO 14001, certificate renewal audits revealed nonconformities mainly related to environmental impacts (50%) in which hazardous materials and waste management prevail. Results obtained in this survey showed that as the environmental management system matures in the three years period, the distribution of nonconformities changes.