Integrated Management System

Integrated Management System (IMS) has been implemented and is constantly being up-graded at Thermosteps-MTL plant. The system consists of

• Quality Management System (QMS) – production management is organized with due regard to predictable and invariably high quality of production
• Environment Management System (EMS) – effective tool that gives Thermosteps-MTL an opportunity to fulfill environmental policy, while increasing production volume and improving production quality
• Management System of occupational safety and health – established to control factors of production that might put at a risk one’s life/health, monitor them, and at the same time improve business

The three systems have the certificate of the British Standards Institution (BSI):

• FM 72450 – confirms compliance with the requirements of International standard ISO 9001:2008
• EMS 531732 - confirms compliance with the requirements of International standard ISO 14001:2004
• OHS 531733 - confirms compliance with the requirements of standard BS OHSAS 18001:2007

In August 2008 Thermosteps-MTL passed the annual surveillance audit. Foreign auditors of BSI positively assessed the company activity and confirmed the Certificates of all three systems. Thermosteps-MTL was given the certificate that confirms compliance with the requirements of the new standard ISO 9001:2008 of QMS, which was introduced in November 2008.

Implementation of the three basic standards ISO (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001) ensures reliability of Thermosteps-MTL for both partners and customers. IMS has the following advantages:

• improved effectiveness while working out, implementation and performance of MS
• a unified harmonized management structure
• reduced costs on development and certification
• integration of different processes within the framework of MS (ie company planning, analysis, document management, internal audit etc)
• increased mobility and adaptation to various conditions
• attractiveness for customers, stakeholders and investors

International experience shows that only those companies that managed to implement effective MS have attained stable success on the international market.

Production Inspection

Quality control consists of technical specifications, packaging, warranty period, source nation and other factors.

Products of Thermosteps-MTL undergo multistage quality check audit (277 control actions) before it is delivered to its customers. This guarantees high and stable quality of products in the life-long course, and includes incoming inspection, operational inspection, acceptance inspection and periodic tests.

The following product characteristics are tested in accredited laboratories: fire resistance, sound insulation index, heat conductivity coefficient. Construction material properties that are also tested at the factory are: water absorption, tear strength, ultimate breaking load. Adherence to all characteristics is also strictly controlled at the production stage.

It is hard to evaluate the most important characteristics of panels Thermopanel at a glance, that is why QCD does not only carry out machine check, but also controls production process and its compliance with Russian and International standards at every stage of processing chain.

QCD carries out inspection tests of all materials coming to the line. QCD posts are placed directly on production lines and equipped with modern electronic measuring tools and control facilities. Electronic gaging equipment, installed on production lines, allows to control all the characteristics on controller's screen monitors on-line.

Panels Thermopanel are produced from ecologically clean materials and have all conformance certificates, sanitary and epidemiological inspection reports and fire safety certificates.

Ready delivery is confirmed by Registration certificates of Thermosteps-MTL products.

Each registration certificate of Thermopanel panels and those of mineral wool plates inform customers about production safety and environmentally friendly means of utilization.

Environmental Protection

Our environmental policy is based on minimization and prevention of potential negative impact of the plant activity. We attain this goal by

• assessing ecological aspects and impact of Thermosteps-MTL operations
• constant monitoring and measuring of ecological indicators
• providing training on environment protection for managers at Thermosteps-MTL
• introducing our environmental policy to our suppliers and contractors

Thermosteps-MTL fulfills statutory requirements in the area of environmental policy regarding emission, waste disposal and water consumption limits.

Thermosteps-MTL measures waste discharge into sewage system, pollutant emissions into the atmosphere, atmospheric air at C33 border, water consumption by more than 100 indicators and substances. In 2008 179 measurements were carried out by accredited laboratories.

During 5 years there have been no complaints or suggestions from the public regarding negative impact of our plant upon the environment.