EnVol Label - one among many for environmentally responsible commitment accessible to small businesses

Today, environmental awareness is becoming increasingly important, and businesses, regardless of their sector, are increasingly compelled to take steps for the planet. However, for small organizations, limited human and financial resources can sometimes be an obstacle to implementing significant environmental actions.

This is where the EnVol label comes in. An initiative developed by CCI France and managed by the LUCIE Agency in partnership with BUREAU VERITAS Certification, it offers SMEs and small businesses an affordable and accessible means to engage in concrete actions to reduce their environmental impact.

What is the EnVol Label?

The EnVol label represents the voluntary commitment of small organizations to the environment. This initiative, spearheaded by CCI France and managed by the LUCIE Agency in partnership with BUREAU VERITAS Certification, offers an accessible first step toward meeting the requirements of ISO 14001 or the European EMAS regulation.

ISO 14001 Standard: This is the standard that defines the criteria for an environmental management system that can be used by an organization to improve its environmental performance.

European EMAS Regulation (Eco Management and Audit Scheme): This is a European standard defining a voluntary system based on continuous improvement of environmental performance.

In essence, it's an opportunity for small organizations, regardless of their activity, to demonstrate their commitment to environmental responsibility without requiring significant investments in terms of human or financial resources. The EnVol label thus offers a pragmatic path for companies that want to actively participate in preserving our planet.

Benefits of the EnVol Label

The EnVol label offers a range of benefits for small organizations looking to embrace environmental responsibility. Here are the key advantages to consider:

• Credibility and Differentiation: By displaying the EnVol label, a company can enhance its credibility by demonstrating its concrete commitment to the environment. This helps it stand out from competitors and gain the trust of customers, partners, and stakeholders.
• Attraction of New Customers: More and more consumers are environmentally conscious. The label can attract eco-conscious customers, thereby expanding the customer base and increasing sales.
• Energy Savings and Profitability: Environmental actions implemented under the EnVol label can often result in significant energy savings.
• Anticipation of Regulation: By adopting the label, an organization prepares for future environmental regulations, avoiding compliance issues and potential penalties.

In summary, the EnVol label offers a range of benefits beyond simply reducing environmental impact. It helps strengthen the company's position in the market, increase profitability, and rally teams around a common goal.

How to Obtain the EnVol Label?

Obtaining the EnVol label is an accessible and structured process. The key steps for organizations wishing to embark on this path are as follows:

• Initial Assessment: This involves understanding the current environmental footprint of the company and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
• Environmental Action Plan: Following the assessment, the company develops an environmental action plan detailing specific measures to reduce its environmental impact.
• Implementation of Actions: Once the action plan is established, the company implements the planned environmental measures, which may involve changes in internal processes, investments in greener technologies, or modifications to business practices.
• Guidance by Experts: The company can benefit from the guidance of experts in sustainability and the environment to guide the implementation of actions and ensure compliance with label standards and requirements.
• Audit and Certification: Once the actions are in place, the company undergoes an audit by a certification body such as BUREAU VERITAS Certification to verify compliance with EnVol label criteria. If the audit is successful, the company receives certification.
• Communication and Promotion: After certification, the company can proudly display the EnVol label on its communication materials, letting customers and partners know about its commitment to the environment.

By following these steps, small businesses and SMEs can obtain the EnVol label and demonstrate their environmental responsibility in a structured and credible manner. This approach allows them to contribute to the planet's protection while reaping the benefits of credibility and economic performance.

Testimonial from MDOSE since obtaining the EnVol label

MDOSE has made good use of obtaining the EnVol label, which has allowed:

• Reducing the number of catalogs sent by 25% over 8 years.
• Significantly reducing the number of printed flyers and various paper documents.
• Committing to using PEFC and FSC certified paper (papers that attest to the respect of environmental, economic, and social functions of forests or are made from responsibly sourced wood fibers) and complying with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards for mineral inks.
• Limiting CO2 emissions through choices of raw materials, suppliers, and carriers in line with their philosophy.
• Establishing a vegetable garden for its employees.

Committing to a virtuous societal approach and providing tools to the pharmaceutical industry to address iatrogeny issues (disorders or diseases resulting from the use of a medication or medical treatment). In this sense, they integrate their product design activity into an eco-design approach, focusing on French manufacturing to minimize environmental impact through the use of recycled or recyclable materials wherever possible.

They are thus committed to implementing an ethical, transparent, and fair approach.

The EnVol label represents a significant opportunity for small businesses and SMEs aiming to combine commercial success with environmental responsibility.

Beyond its obvious advantages, the EnVol label embodies a sincere commitment to the planet and sustainable future.

In summary, the EnVol label is much more than a certification. It is an act of leadership that shows that even with limited resources, every company can make a positive contribution to environmental protection while strengthening its competitiveness.

By adopting the EnVol label, you can write a new story, one of a greener and more responsible business world...