Re: self certification certificate?
Along with a self declaration (done by you on your letterhead) on your website, why not include the audit report done which shows EVIDENCE that your organization does indeed have a EMS based on ISO 14001. You could also include the credentials of the auditor (is he a registered IRCA OR RAB auditor?)
Just a thought...
I LIKE this idea. Years and years ago, when QS9000 first raised its ugly head, small companies like mine were encouraged to get certificates of registration by some automotive oems who wanted us as suppliers, but the oems were stunned to learn we weren't willing to pay some third party to say we were as good as WE said we were.
At that point, some oems relented and sent suppliers "Self Assessment" forms to complete, by which they would individually approve each small supplier unwilling to go the third party route.
We found the form to be a wonderful marketing tool - we made the form into three columns - form question - our response - blank [explained below] and printed copies for each customer and prospect
In the first column, we retyped the original question [clause]. In the second, we typed in an expansive response with details of how we actually complied with that specific clause. The third [blank] column we left as an invitation to current or prospective customers to come in and compare their own observation with our response in the second column. We really glitzed it up with glossy paper, photos, etc.
We brought or sent a copy to serious prospects and NEVER had anybody come in to do their own observation - a frequent customer comment was,
"If you have the competence and nerve to put this together to send to us, we believe you have the capability and capacity to do what we want and we don't need to call your bluff, IF it is a bluff."
The "Devil is in the details," and the details told the story more convincingly than a mere "certificate."
