ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Automobile Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have implemented formal Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) globally that require the OEMs to consider the environmental performance and potential liabilities in the supply chain. However, in South Africa, OEMs typically experience resistance from suppliers to focus on environmental issues, compliance with regulations, and OEM requirements. Although the responses from many OEMs have been an attempt to enforce the formal EMS certification and accreditation of suppliers, a case study reveals that such certification and accreditation does not necessarily imply good environmental performance, nor indeed environmental compliance with the national legislation. Apart from general environmental management and compliance information, basic cleaner production process parameters, i.e. water and energy usage, and waste generated, were used to compare the environmental performances of different sized suppliers, with and without formal EMSs, and with variance of financial dependency on an OEM. In order to improve the environmental performance of the entire supply chain, a conceptual model is introduced, which is currently under investigation in the automotive sector of South Africa.

AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:Oorspronklike Toerusting Vervaardigers (OTVs) in die motorbedryf het internasionaal formele Omgewingsbestuursisteme (OBS) ge