PHA is First Port Authority in World to Meet New ISO International Security Standards
Certified by ABS Quality Evaluations to ISO 28000:2007 Security Management System
May 27, 2008
Houston, Texas—ABS Quality Evaluations (ABS QE) certified the security management system of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA), Port Police to ISO 28000:2007. The PHA has become the first port authority in the world to receive ISO 28000:2007 certification.
The international standard specifies the requirements for a security management system, including those aspects critical to security assurance of all aspects of the business management. ISO 28000:2007 was developed in response to demand from industry for a security management standard, with an ultimate objective to improve the security of supply chains.
"This latest accomplishment of being the first port in the world to be Security ISO 28000: 2007 certified is due to the hard work and dedication of the port's staff and is further evidence of the Port of Houston Authority's proactive philosophy to lead by example," said PHA Chairman James T. Edmonds. "This initial certification is only the first part of our continual improvement process, which will lead to the eventual certification of all our terminals."
The certification comes after a three-year process of the development of PHA's Security Management System (SMS) and its application to Port Police and the perimeter security operations at both the Barbours Cut and Bayport Terminals. It validates not only PHA's attention to U.S. Coast Guard regulations but also that PHA has gone beyond the requirements, while still ensuring the efficient movement of commerce.
"We are gratified to have been selected to audit the Port of Houston Authority," said Chuck Russo, president of ABS Quality Evaluations. "We were impressed with the robustness of the Port of Houston Authority's management system and the significant effort the Port has put in to achieve this."
The comprehensive, independent audit by ABS Quality Evaluations validates that PHA is on track with its security measures. These include improvements in security processes, procedures and practices, more detailed and efficient monitoring and documentation, broader training of the PHA police force and security partners and more efficient processing of vehicles through its gates.
PHA's Security Management System was modeled after its highly successful Environmental Management System, which made it the first port authority in the world to attain ISO 14000 certification in 2002.
About ABS Quality Evaluations
ABS QE expertise spans quality, health, safety, environmental, social accountability and security management system audits, vendor supply chain compliance assessments, and certification and training services. Through offices worldwide, ABS QE provides global certification, auditing and training services to leading organizations. Some of the markets served are oil and gas, petrochemical, chemical, machinery and equipment, aerospace and defense, pharmaceutical, food processing, electronics, automotive and consumer goods, among others. ABS QE is distinguished by having highly qualified auditors, many of whom have more than 15 years of specific industry and audit experience.
ABS QE, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is accredited by the largest and most respected accreditation organizations worldwide.
About Port of Houston Authority
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 7,000 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and 10th largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston’s development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade’s Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
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