Dec. 12, 2002 -- Uponor Oyj has selected DNV (Det Norske Veritas) as its globally preferred provider of quality and environment management system and product approval audit services.
The cooperation includes development of third-party audit practices that go beyond being compliance-against-standards audits.
The agreement includes an initiative to combine Uponor's strategic themes and corporate values into an audit criterion. These 'added value' audits may also incorporate external criteria for best practices, such as quality award schemes, etc.
"With its global audit procedures, DNV will provide a uniform framework to benchmark Uponor's different units across organizational and geographical borders," said Tuomo Kantola, Vice President of strategic planning and CSR at Uponor Oyj. "The agreement will allow Uponor to move gradually from site-specific certificates to covering larger organizational entities. This will reduce the total cost of certification activities and free capacity to develop our operations further."
"DNV develops its practices so that the synergies between quality and environment management system audits and product approval audits will be maximized. Thus, DNV will operate as a one-stop-shop for all Uponor's non-financial audit needs," Kantola said.
Established in 1864, DNV is an independent foundation with the objective of safeguarding life, property and the environment and is an international provider of services for managing risk. Headquartered in Norway, DNV operates from 300 offices in 100 countries around the world.
Uponor Oyj is a global provider of pipe systems for buildings and for municipal engineering, and in residential under-floor heating systems. The group employs a staff of 5,400 in 23 countries. The group's net sales in 2001 totaled EUR 1.2 billion (US 1.1 billion).
For more information, visit www.uponor.com.
