Date - Oct 27th
.Cork Attraction First To Receive International Standard
Lifetime Lab at the Old Cork Waterworks has become the first tourist attraction in Ireland to receive the globally recognised ISO 14001 accreditation. The visitor centre located on Lee Road was presented with the award by Minister for Trade and Commerce Mr. Billy Kelleher TD at a recent ceremony.
The centre which supports science education for primary schools as well as providing information on sustainable living achieved the standard by introducing environmental management systems across the day to day operations of the site, for example the monitoring of energy allowed Lifetime Lab to reduce its electricity use by 36%, a cost saving of €7000 per year.
Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr. John Buttimer commended the team at Lifetime Lab for the time and effort required to achieve accreditation of such a high standard, mentioning that Lifetime Lab was a jewel in the crown of Cork City. "Lifetime Lab is held in high esteem by all at Cork City Council, and raising awareness in the areas of science, environment and sustainability will bring crucial long term benefits to the Cork area. The old waterworks is also a tribute to the industrial heritage of Cork with beautiful examples of Victorian architecture now preserved and more importantly opened to the public"
Speaking at the ceremony Minister Kelleher stressed the importance of Irish organisations achieving standards which could be benchmarked internationally, a further reminder to overseas companies as to why Ireland is such an attractive investment option. He added "Lifetime Lab has now added an international award to the impressive national portfolio of awards and accreditations. "The model of Lifetime Lab is one that could be replicated across Ireland and is the showcase of best practice in areas such as design, operations and sustainability"
Lifetime Lab is located in the old Cork City Waterworks buildings on the Lee Road. The site now contains a Visitor Centre with interactive exhibits, a steam centre with the original boilers and huge steam engines that were used to pump water to supply the City of Cork, a schools centre, a coffee dock, a picnic area a children's playground and is fully wheelchair accessible.
For further information, please contact the Lifetime Lab at: 021-4941500 or view the website www.lifetimelab.ie
Ends….
Photo available on request
Contact Details
Name: Mervyn Horgan
Address: Lifetime Lab, Lee Road, Cork
Telephone: 021-4941500
Fax: 021-4941519
Email: lifetimelab@corkcity.ie
Notes to editor
ISO 14001 Management Standard
In 1996, the International Standards Organisation (ISO) published the international standard for Environmental Management – ISO 1400; this was revised in 2004. It is designed to be compatible with other management standards, particularly the widely used ISO 9001 Quality Management Standard. Industrial companies, service organisations, utilities and public bodies worldwide have embraced ISO 14001 as the preferred model for environmental management.
An effective environmental management system based on ISO 14001 provides an organisation with a defined structure to allow them to more confidently and effectively manage environmental issues by:
· establishing a policy and awareness that good environmental performance is a strategic objective of the organisation
· focusing on the prevention of waste and pollution and on continual improvement of environmental performance
· systematic analysis, planning, control and monitoring of all activities that may affect environmental performance
· assisting companies to more effectively meet legislative and regulatory requirements
· demonstrating to regulators, stakeholders and other interested third parties that a formal environmental management system is operational and effective
Mervyn Horgan
Lifetime Lab
Lee Road
021 4941500
