First nano company to get SHE approval
19 April 2011
AssuredNano, the Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Accreditation Scheme for organisations involved with nanotechnology, has announced that Thomas Swan, the single wall carbon nanotube manufacturer, has become the first organisation accredited to its Nanomaterials SHE Scheme.
Following lengthy and exhaustive beta testing of the Scheme, which covers manufacturing procedures, risk evaluation, handling, transportation and training, Thomas Swan underwent rigorous auditing by expert consultants to become accredited. Accreditation is followed up by subsequent annual independent audits.
"Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd. has put considerable effort into our associated SHE systems to ensure best practice is followed.” said Managing Director Harry Swan. “Gaining accreditation to AssuredNano gives us and our customers the reassurance that an independent party thinks we are operating responsibly and to best practice as well.”
Dr. Keith Robson, SEO of AssuredNano Limited, commented: "AssuredNano is the only nano-material SHE Accreditation Scheme which covers all facets of a business’ operations and is annually audited for compliance. We are absolutely delighted that Thomas Swan and Co. Ltd. chose our Scheme as a way of demonstrating to its stakeholders its comprehensive commitment to nanomaterial responsible care."
AssuredNano exists to overcome obstacles to nanomaterial commercialisation resulting from SHE concerns. It affords a way for responsible manufacturers to comprehensively address nanomaterial SHE concerns, demonstrating to all stakeholders that SHE issues are being taken seriously and tackled responsibly and most, importantly, assuring the health and safety of people exposed to nanomaterials or nano-enabled products.
Implementation is typically scheduled over a six to nine month time span, with four days consultancy support being made available. AssuredNano then takes the organisation through a trial audit to ensure readiness before undertaking the Accreditation Audit proper. In most cases the entire process from kick off to accreditation takes twelve months.
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