Better Environmental Sustainability Targets (BEST) For Lead Battery Manufacturers

Occupational Knowledge International (OK International) is working to improve the environmental performance of one of the world's most polluting industries, which is affecting the health, and educational opportunity of millions of children around the globe. The organization is developing an environmental recognition program for lead battery manufacturers that meet minimum emission standards and agree to take back used batteries for environmentally sound recycling. Our objective is to reduce emissions from lead battery plants and recyclers, and prevent lead poisoning through an incentive program for these companies.

We are working cooperatively with companies operating throughout the world to adopt a universal environmental standard in order to address the environmental and occupational health impacts of these facilities. Along with our Indian partners, Development Alternatives and the National Referral Centre for Lead Poisoning in India, we have initiated a multi-stakeholder process to set an environmental standard for the industry. Stakeholders have come together with common objectives to set a Better Environmental Sustainability Targets (BEST) standard for lead battery manufacturers.

Problem Description

Lead poisoning is the most serious environmental health threat to children and one of the most significant contributors to occupational disease. Lead causes symptoms ranging from the loss of neurological function to death depending upon the extent and duration of exposure. In children, moderate lead exposure is responsible for a significant decrease in school performance, lowering IQ scores, and is linked with hyperactive and violent behavior. Both children and adults can suffer from a range of illnesses including effects on the central nervous system, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and blood forming system. It also affects the reproductive system in both men and women. The annual cost of lead poisoning in the U.S. alone is estimated to exceed $43.4 billion in children. Worldwide estimates are not available, but would greatly exceed this figure, as exposures are known to be significantly higher in developing countries.

In the past several years, most large countries have removed lead from gasoline or are in the process of phasing out its use. Lead battery production, including the mining, smelting and recycling segments, is now becoming the most significant source of lead exposures throughout the world. Average exposure levels in children residing near battery plants in developing countries are four times the current level of concern established by the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the average worker blood lead levels in these plants is approximately twice the recommended level at which workers should be removed from working around lead by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

We believe that new opportunities are emerging to encourage cooperation between battery manufacturers, government and non-governmental organizations to develop industry-wide performance criteria. International programs to audit labor conditions, coffee growing practices and forestry stewardship are gaining acceptance. OK International hopes to capitalize on the success of these models in developing an effective framework to improve the environmental performance of lead battery production facilities.

To date, there are no international environmental audit standards for lead battery production. Efforts to encourage corporate environmental responsibility are focused on very general codes of conduct (e.g. UN Global Compact), management practices such as ISO 14001, and disclosure with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The BEST program may ultimately rely on one or more of these programs as a prerequisite for participation. However, we believe that our audit program will serve as a model for the next generation of corporate environmental responsibility initiatives, as it includes specific performance parameters and transparency through the release of site-specific information.

Program Description

OK International was instrumental in bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to develop a comprehensive environmental standard for lead battery plants. The stakeholders comprised of experienced and well-respected representatives from the battery industry, government, major purchasers, and environmental organizations, will approve the initial standard. Participating facilities will later be subject to annual audits against this performance standard to ensure independent verification.

To conduct the audits, teams of independent auditors including environmental engineers, industrial hygienists and other experts will conduct on site inspections on an annual basis. Companies that meet the standard will then be eligible to place an eco-label on their products. We will promote the eco-label to assist companies marketing products made under these standards. Program costs will be borne by the participating companies with charges assessed according to production volume.

The Better Environmental Sustainability Targets (BEST) standard for lead battery manufacturers is available here. For more information, see BEST Public Documents and Lead Battery Facts.