ISO 14001 in Uruguay : problems and opportunities

Abstract: This study is about the opportunities and problems of the implementation of the environmental management system ISO 14001 in Uruguayan companies. The driving forces and the process of implementation are studied. Since few case studies of the implementation of ISO 14001 in developing countries have been conducted, this report will provide additional knowledge in the field of environmental management in companies of developing countries. In the four case studies in this report, the most common driving force for implementing ISO 14001 is the requirements from international customers. Other important motives are the demands of the corporation, commercial benefits and general environmental concern. The most important problem all companies have faced with the implementation is the lack of resources. The deficient regulation of the country and the low commercial benefits in the internal market are other problems. The most important benefits perceived by the companies are the maintenance of international customers, cost reductions through less energy use and garbage recycling and the long-term gains from the "green image" of the company.