True to its culture of excellence, KARL HUGO has set itself a new ambitious goal: to achieve ISO 14001 certification in 2026.
This initiative formalizes the company’s existing environmental commitments and strengthens its credibility with clients and partners. Once primarily focused on quality through the ISO 9001 standard, industrial requirements now extend to environmental protection, safety, and social responsibility.
“At KARL HUGO, every challenge is an opportunity to improve,” says Bernd Hugo - CEO and Chief Financial Officer. “Quality and safety have always been our top priorities. Today, we’re taking another step forward. The integration of the ISO 14001 standard is a continuation of this philosophy and structures our environmental commitment. Certification means benefiting from an external evaluation that confirms our compliance. It also spares us from having to complete multiple questionnaires and undergo repeated audits.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainable development, KARL HUGO is implementing an Environmental Management System in accordance with ISO 14001. Designed to help companies improve their performance, this system enables the reduction of the company’s negative impacts on the environment.
A structured and holistic approach
“To achieve this goal, we first carried out a gap analysis to compare our current situation with the standard’s requirements,” explains Lea Wirtz - Integrated Management System Coordinator at KARL HUGO. “We then adapted our processes, enriched our procedures, and integrated all environmental and safety aspects into our ISO 9001 system.” The result is a unique integrated management system that ensures consistency, traceability, and efficiency. “Thanks to our document management system, every procedure is tracked, updated, and assigned to a specific owner.”
This comprehensive approach ensures the continuous improvement of environmental performance while maintaining the company’s high production quality standards. The system is built around four key pillars: fire prevention, workplace safety, management of hazardous materials, and environmental protection. These pillars reflect KARL HUGO’s commitment to acting responsibly in the face of environmental challenges and ensuring the safety of its employees and facilities.
A proactive and sustainable approach
The ISO 14001 process is not merely an administrative requirement - it is also an internal assurance. “It allows us to reduce risks, prevent incidents, and ensure that every action is carried out in compliance with standards,” explains the CEO. “Whether it involves an environmental incident, the handling of hazardous materials, or regulatory compliance, we put in place the necessary procedures and tools to act effectively.”
Scheduled for spring 2026, this certification will mark the culmination of more than a year and a half of collaborative work. “Beyond the label, it represents recognition of our long-term commitment,” emphasizes the CEO.”
