ISO Program in York Region

ISO 14001 and ISO 9000 are internationally recognized standards of excellence for environmental management and business practices. In order to achieve registration status, an organization must establish, maintain and continually improve upon their activities to reduce pollution, improve compliance and efficiency. This process also includes evaluation and review by a third party registrar at least annually (SGS International Certification Services Canada Inc.).

Although these standards are a common practice in the private sector, York Region has been a leader in the implementation of these management systems in the municipal sector.

Key milestones include:

• 2000: FIRST in North America to apply the ISO 14001 to a sewage distribution system (York-Durham Sewage System)
• 2001: FIRST municipality in Canada to register five wastewater treatment plants
• 2001: Achieved ISO 9001:2000 registration for the York Water System (distribution system for City of Toronto water)
• 2002: Achieved ISO 9001:2000 registration for the North Water System (treatment and supply from production wells)

Where do we go from here? We continue to look for new and innovative ways to do our business. We plan on harmonizing our management systems to streamline business and continue to stay at the forefront of management system developments for the industry.  The Ministry of the Environment together with the Canadian Standards Association is developing a Drinking Water Quality Management Standard based on the ISO 9000 Quality Management System platform. This system, when available, is expected to be the mandatory standard for water supply delivery in Ontario. York Region considers its current initiatives will substantially meet the requirements of this new standard when enacted.