Xceed Contact Center obtains its ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001:1999 Certification

ISO 14001 has become the most important environmental standard in the world. There are thousands of organizations who use it, many environmentalists who support it, and governments actively encourage organizations to achieve this. On the other hand, the OHSAS certification was created to eliminate and minimize risk to employees and other interested parties who may be exposed to associated activities, which is why this is so important. Xceed is now certified in four different areas, with the two new certification in addition to the COPC-2000® certification, which was achieved early in the year and the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System certification.

The ISO 14001: 2004 Environmental Management Standard focuses on what comes out of the organization, which can have an adverse effect on the environment. This standard is friendly to the environment, which controls emissions, applying waist management and waist levels internally through controlling waist resources. This is to ensure that Xceed Contact Center as an organization has minimal effect on the environment. Ensuring that all unfriendly waists are properly disposed, Xceed has an internal program in place that minimizes the consumption of resources, which has an adversary effect on the environment. Part of the ISO 14001:2004 certification is to deliver training and awareness programs. Applications of those standards were driven by Xceed's commitment towards the health and safety of its employees as well as commitment towards the environment.

Mr. Ahmed Refky, Xceed's Vice President of Strategy and Business Development states the following:

"Quality is fundamentally about people, it is a learning process and a culture change. The quality and attitude of our people is a key to our successes. Xceed has a long standing commitment to both excellence and continuous improvement that are the core requirements in our overall operation and everyday practice."

As to the other certification that Xceed achieved, OHSAS 18001 was created as a concerted effort from a number of the worlds leading national standards bodies, certification bodies, and specialist consultancies. The OHSAS certification assists in a variety of respects to help minimize risk to employees, improve an existing Occupation Health and Safety (OH&S) management system; demonstrating diligence; to gain assurance and much more. The benefits are substantial in many ways; it is intended to help an organization control occupational health and safety risks. Such certification efforts, really make an organization find out what is in their backyard. Due to all the investigations that have to be conducted, an organization really must understand what goes in and out of its doors. As an organization, Xceed had to undergo environmental measurements and tests to ensure that the air emissions are within acceptable environmental limits. In the future, Xceed also plans on creating a recycling program.

The OHSAS 18001:1999 certification focuses on the safety and well being of the employees, by identifying hazards and mitigating all potential risks to safety. Xceed has ensured proper planning, dissemination and execution of evacuation plans in case of an emergency. Air quality measurements were taken to ensure that the work environment is up to the international standards as well as legal requirements. In addition, computer screen emissions tests were conducted, this is to ensure that organization purchases low radiation monitors for their employees. Noise levels tests where conducted, lighting levels tests ensured that employees have accurate light to work in and educating employees about correct work posture is an all time favorite. Xceed offers its employees transportation; therefore all its company vehicles are regularly inspected for safety.

One of the most important inspections carried out is the cafeteria / food inspection, this is conducted by third parties. All servers must have health inspection certificates and all cafeteria staff is under strict hygiene control. Housekeeping is another large segment that OHSAS highlights with regards to putting signs up when moping floors, washing windows and ensuring the workers own safety. In house safety rules are also on all visitor ID badges and are verbally announced to visitors when entering the facility.

To date, Xceed has successfully trained 45 of its employees on first aid training in case of emergency, and safety tools for maintenance staff. This is all part of being OHSAS 18001:1999 certified.

Xceed's Quality Assurance Manager, Mr. Mohamed A. Fouad, notes, "Adherence to EMS & OH&S standards increases the organization's awareness with both its external and internal environment. It helps minimize risk to employees and environment and foster an all around responsible attitude."