13 October 2022
On the occasion of World Standards Day on 14 October 2022, TÜV SÜD highlights globally recognised international standards as being critical for the protection of our planet. World Standards Day is a joint initiative by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). With over 25,000 employees in around 50 countries, TÜV SÜD is among the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification (TIC) service providers.
“Standards for Sustainable Development Goals” is the theme of World Standards Day 2022, and it could hardly be more topical against a backdrop of climate-caused wildfires and flooding disasters sweeping many areas of the world. “Sustainability is a core corporate value for us here at TÜV SÜD”, affirms Prof Axel Stepken, Chairman of the Board of Management of TÜV SÜD AG. “With this firmly in focus, on 21 September 2022 we joined forces with other testing, inspection and certification companies in pledging our compliance with guiding principles for sustainable and responsible action.” Prof. Stepken explains that TÜV SÜD orients its actions along these guiding principles and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Furthermore, the TIC specialists have pursued their sustainable mission of protecting people, the environment and assets from technological risk since as early as 1866.
TÜV SÜD’s commitment to sustainability is also reflected in the services and solutions it supplies to a wide variety of areas and industries, which are generally based on or guided by recognised standards. Our experts offer testing and certification for wind farms, photovoltaic plants, energy storage systems and hydrogen technologies, supporting developments including further expansion of energy from renewable sources and the associated CO2 reduction or decarbonisation. Recognised IEC standards on type and component certification of wind turbines and the testing of stationary lithium-ion batteries in accordance with IEC 61619 provide assurance that test requirements and test results are comparable at global level.
In addition, TÜV SÜD’s management system certifications support companies and organisations seeking to achieve conformity with legal and normative requirements, optimise processes and continuously improve their performance. An energy management system with ISO 50001 certification, for example, can not only help to cut energy consumption, but also pays into several SDGs: number 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), number 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), number 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and number 13 (Climate Action).
Particularly in areas where technical advancement is extremely fast-paced or new requirements are added, TÜV SÜD steps up to develop appropriate in-house solutions and services that complement existing standards or bridge the gap until harmonised standards are available. One example of this is the company’s sustainability assessment for the production of battery cells, based on the United Nations’ SDGs. The assessment spans the full length of the supply chain, from delivery of resources and production of raw materials to the manufacture, recycling and ultimate disposal of the battery cells. Further examples include the establishment of a European green hydrogen certification and guarantee-of-origin system within the scope of the CertifHy project, in which TÜV SÜD and Ludwig Bölkow Systemtechnik – a member company of TÜV SÜD – work with other partners under the leadership of HINICO, and the development of an H2-Readiness guideline for power stations that provides a standardised and transparent framework for stepwise retrofitting from firing natural gas to firing hydrogen.
Development and implementation of harmonised regulations and universally recognised standards are also critical for building essential trust in the reliability and safety of innovative and sustainable technologies among all stakeholders, from manufacturers to consumers. Standards define uniform requirements for products, services and methods. They are developed and distributed in a process of exchange and consensus among experts, under the lead of standard-setting organisations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
“Increasing sustainability is one of the key challenges of our time”, emphasises Prof Axel Stepken. “With this in mind, we are continuously expanding our services and solutions in this field, focusing on existing regulations and standards and the United Nations’ SDGs.” In addition, TÜV SÜD experts share their expertise and experience on committees at organisations including IEC, ISO and ITU, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of existing standards and the development of new regulations for more sustainability.
TÜV SÜD has brought together all its environmental and sustainability services on a dedicated web page at: www.tuvsud.com/en/services/sustainability
Press-contact: Dr Thomas Oberst
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