DNV sets the standards for certified growth
Norwegian classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV) arrived in China more than a century ago - in Xiamen in 1888 - a nation now home to its fastest-growing unit and largest operation in Asia, with 36 offices in 20 cities throughout the country.
As a leading provider of certification and risk management, DNV's range of operations in China include the maritime industry, energy generation, heavy manufacturing and food and beverage safety.
President and CEO Dr Henrik Madsen is confident about DNV's plans for expansion as China becomes more innovative and technically advanced.
"The Chinese people really want to make China a success. They are proud, but not afraid to seek outside assistance. They know when they can create a win-win situation," said Madsen.
DNV's maritime tradition is attracting new opportunities in markets throughout the world, including China, which received 40 percent of global shipbuilding orders in 2007. As DNV continues to set the actual standards for shipbuilding quality, Madsen explains that the company maintains a firm commitment to balance the needs of business and society.
"We manage risk in all phases of the ship's life and we set the environmental agenda in shipping so that technological development and expectations from different stakeholders can actually go hand in hand. As a foundation, we invest in developing people and technology," he said.
DNV has worked together with the Chinese government to develop clean development mechanism (CDM) projects enabled by the United Nation's Kyoto Protocol. The agreement allows industries to offset their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) by supporting emission-reducing projects in the developing world. As the world's second-largest producer of GHGs, China now has the most CDM projects in the world.
"Our role is to validate or verify when a project has been realized. We work with Chinese governmental offices and private companies who need third-party validation in the form of a trustworthy, independent foundation like DNV. You need credible players who are technically able to verify that this actually takes place, otherwise it is open for everyone to cheat," said DNV President and CEO Dr Henrik Madsen.
As China sets its sights on energy efficiency across industries, DNV will offer its services in technological qualification and will collaborate with the Energy Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission to develop international energy management system standards.
"This is significant. There is a lot of talk about saving and producing energy but China is actually going to do something about it. Of course, it has to be done in the Chinese way and our role is to help them develop it," said Madsen.
As DNV continues to orient itself to more industry-specific certification services, food and beverage makers have emerged as a major focus for the future.
"The food chain is becoming more and more global. In China, business firms and consumers turn to companies they can trust to meet their demands for guarantees. We will partner with Chinese companies to improve food quality, hygiene and safety," he said.
As the first Norwegian-based company with a Chinese director on their board, DNV says it takes pride in the competent, knowledge-based organization and is geared up to support China's diverse industries, fuelled by over a 140 years of global experience.
"Our people and an international brand are our key assets. The creativity, knowledge, and expertise behind the DNV name enable us to create value for our clients in China and assist them in maintaining the highest quality as they continue on their path to growth," he said.
www.dnv.com
(China Daily 04/14/2008 page25)
