Atlas Copco chooses standards as powerful driver for sustainable success

Atlas Copco was founded 150 years ago in Sweden as a manufacturer of diesel engines for locomotives. Since then, Organisation has grown into a global leader in industrial product solutions, with more than 53,000 employees and sales of 15 billion euros.

The multinational consists of several autonomous business areas, companies and distribution centers. Standards are central to everything they do.

We spoke with Jef Verelst (Vice President Compliance & Sustainability) and Koen Staes (Product Compliance & Legislation CTBA). Within the Compressor Technology business area, they are responsible for everything related to product compliance, standards, certification and export licenses.

Standards as strategic pillars for quality as well as sustainability

Standards provide more than just guidelines; they are the basis for quality and sustainable products, Jef states. "They provide a framework and structure, allowing us to look beyond just the functionality of a product. Standards are essential to ensure that our products meet the highest standards."

Atlas Copco uses hundreds of standards, every day. "Our engineers use standards to develop products and perform calculations, the laboratory applies measurement standards, and our calibration department uses calibration standards for their measuring equipment, to name but a few," Koen adds.

By continuously monitoring standards, Organisation is able to respond quickly to changes. "When adjustments are made, we provide direction on what needs to be adjusted, then our business experts implement it," Jef said.

When developing products, Organisation takes into account not only technical specifications, but also regulations. "In addition to our production in Europe itself, our factories in India and China also supply products to the European market. As a manufacturer and importer, we bear a great responsibility: our goods must conform to CE marking as well as be produced in a quality, environmentally friendly and safe manner."

Triple certification

Today, it is no longer enough to make the best product. You have to make the best product that meets all local and international regulations and standards, including sustainability. "Especially with a global player like Atlas Copco," confirms Jef.

This is why the multinational chooses triple certification in ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. For Atlas Copco, this provides not only a guarantee of quality, but also a basis for consistency in their global operations. Each division does so through local certification. "We also offer a multi-site contract. Those who choose this contract have fewer audits, lower costs ánd get support in case of problems or renewals." In addition to the global ACMS (Atlas Copco Management System), each division can add its own specific management systems, such as a compression engineering management system or an energy management system. "Our shareholders and investors expect us to be certified as well as to put sustainability high on the agenda. We therefore want to be proactive in this, so that we can give direction ourselves," said Koen.

Standards actively help shape

For Atlas Copco, as a market leader, it is natural to also participate in standards development. "Whoever sits at the design table also influences the standards that will shape the future," Jef explains. "As experts, we sit together with competitors in working groups to develop standards around compressors. We look for a compromise together with everyone involved until we have a standard that is acceptable to everyone."

So it is strategically important to actively sit at that table and take the pen. Atlas Copco thereby strengthens their innovation and market position. Because once the standard is written, you have to apply it yourself.

All standards available worldwide thanks to the NBN portal

"The great advantage of the NBN standards portal is that all standards worldwide are immediately available digitally and online on a single platform," explains Koen. "This allows everyone to access the same documents in a copyright-compliant way, regardless of different locations and time zones. The new portal is user-friendly and has an efficient search function, giving you faster results."

NBN grows with you

"NBN offers the full range of standards and grows with our Organisation and its needs. Moreover, it works closely with our experts in standards committees. Contact is smooth and all problems are solved quickly. So we definitely want to keep our standards collection at NBN," concludes Jef.

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