Background

At CG Business Consulting, we are proud to have partnered with Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland on their successful journey to achieving ISO 14001 certification - the internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS).

Operating within a global organisation renowned for its commitment to sustainability and responsible innovation, Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland sought to further strengthen its environmental governance, enhance operational controls, and demonstrate measurable commitment to environmental stewardship. ISO 14001 certification was a natural next step in aligning local operations with the wider Saint-Gobain sustainability strategy.

This initiative is part of a bigger corporate sustainability journey and supports Saint-Gobain’s ambition to reduce its operations environmental impact:

• Net-zero 2050 pathway

• Achieve a 33% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 by 2030 (vs. 2017)

• Achieve an 80% reduction in non-valorized waste by 2030 (vs. 2017)

• Achieve a 50% reduction in water withdrawal by 2030 (vs. 2017) and elimination of water discharge in high-stress areas

The Objective

Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland aimed to:

• Formalise and strengthen its Environmental Management System
• Identify and manage environmental risks and opportunities
• Enhance compliance obligations and environmental performance
• Drive continual improvement across operations
• Achieve accredited ISO 14001 certification

The organisation required a consultancy partner with both technical expertise and a collaborative, practical approach to implementation.

Working in partnership with CGBC

CG Business Consulting worked in close partnership with the Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland team, led internally by Ashiqur R Sabbir, EHS & Risk Prevention Business Partner.

The project was delivered by:

• Blagica Kamcheva, Senior ISO Consultant – An experienced ISO implementation and audit specialist with a strong track record across manufacturing and industrial sectors.
• Marcela Reyes, ISO Consultant – A HSEQ systems consultant focused on process optimisation, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Together, our team:

• Conducted a comprehensive gap analysis
• Facilitated environmental aspects and impacts assessments
• Strengthened compliance tracking and operational controls
• Delivered targeted awareness and leadership engagement sessions
• Developed and refined EMS documentation
• Prepared the organisation thoroughly for external certification audit

The project was delivered through structured planning, practical system design, and consistent engagement with key stakeholders, ensuring the Environmental Management System was embedded into day-to-day operations rather than existing as a standalone framework.

Leadership Commitment

Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland’s corporate vision provided strong strategic alignment for the project. As Daragh Monaghan, Plant Manager (responsible for SGLSI) stated:

“Achieving ISO 14001 certification at our Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland site reflects the strength of our commitment to responsible business and environmental leadership. This milestone demonstrates how our teams continue to embed sustainability into everyday operations, ensuring we not only meet compliance standards but actively contribute to a more innovative, low-carbon future. I commend the collaboration between our internal teams and CG Business Consulting in delivering a robust Environmental Management System that will support long-term performance and continuous improvement across our business. This commitment to responsible, low-carbon innovation was clearly reflected in the proactive engagement demonstrated by the Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland team throughout the certification journey.”

Client Testimonial

Ashiqur R Sabbir, EHS & Risk Prevention Business Partner for Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland, worked closely with CG Business Consulting throughout the project. Reflecting on the collaboration, he commented:

“Working with CG Business Consulting was a genuinely positive experience. Blagica brought deep technical expertise and a structured approach that gave us clarity and confidence at every stage. Marcela ensured the system worked practically within our operations. Their guidance strengthened not only our Environmental Management System but also our overall environmental culture. Achieving ISO 14001 certification is a significant milestone for our site.”

The Outcome

Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland successfully achieved ISO 14001 certification following external audit, with a robust Environmental Management System now fully integrated into site operations.

Key outcomes include:

• Improved environmental risk identification and management
• Enhanced compliance assurance
• Stronger environmental performance monitoring
• Increased employee awareness and engagement
• Clear alignment with Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland’s wider sustainability commitments

A Partnership Built on Continuous Improvement

At CG Business Consulting, we believe ISO 14001 is not simply about achieving certification - it is about embedding environmental responsibility into the culture of an organisation.

Our partnership with Saint-Gobain Life Sciences Ireland demonstrates what can be achieved when leadership commitment, technical expertise, and collaborative working come together with a shared objective.

We are delighted to have supported the team on this important milestone and look forward to their continued success in driving sustainable excellence across their operations.

At CG Business Consulting, we specialise in supporting organisations to design, implement and continually improve Environmental Management Systems aligned with ISO 14001. Our approach goes beyond certification - we focus on building practical, risk-based systems that strengthen environmental performance, ensure compliance obligations are met, and embed sustainability into day-to-day operations.

With extensive experience across ISO standards and integrated management systems, we help you translate the requirements of ISO 14001 into clear processes, measurable objectives, and meaningful continual improvement - delivering value not just at audit time, but across the full lifecycle of your business.

We invite you to avail of a complimentary 30-minute consultation to review your current level of audit readiness and explore how a robust, well-structured Environmental Management System can support compliance, reduce environmental impact, and contribute to your long-term strategic goals. 

Book your free consultation HERE.