Environmental management practices in the Lebanese pharmaceutical industries : drivers, barriers and incentives.

Abstract

Although there are many types of environmental management practices or initiatives that reduce environmental risks and improve environmental performance, they showed insignificant results compared to environmental management systems (EMS). The ISO 14001 standard (EMS) is a voluntary initiative that provides guidance and assistance for organizations by helping them develop their own systematic and formal environmental management system, which focuses on management processes and promotes continuous environmental improvement. Even though the ISO 14001 standard has become more acclaimed and globally accepted, its adoption rate in Lebanon is still very low compared to that of other countries. Furthermore, little is known about the applicability of the standard regarding the pharmaceutical sector, since there is only one certified pharmaceutical industry in Lebanon.This research project attempted to provide a clear understanding of the Lebanese pharmaceutical industries’ current environmental strategies, priorities, perceptions, drivers, barriers, and incentives regarding the implementation of the voluntary EMS ISO 14001 standard. An in-depth interview guide was formulated and interviews were conducted with SMEs pharmaceutical industries. The findings revealed a significant lack of knowledge about the standard among the pharmaceutical industries. The main perceived drivers for adopting the standard are for the sake of enhancing the environmental performance, improving the companies’ image, and overcoming international trade. The main perceived barriers for acquiring the standard are the fact that there is a lack of governmental support (and incentives) and the fact that this standard is not being legally required or enforced by the government. Governmental bodies and certification bodies are the main supporting organizations when it comes to implementing the standard. The main problem is that adopting the EMS ISO 14001 standard is not perceived as being a priority for the Lebanese pharmaceutical industries