PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 09, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that its Rotorcraft Systems facility in Philadelphia has earned International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 certification, a global benchmark of an organization's commitment to understand and continuously improve its environmental performance.

Boeing is working to have all of its major manufacturing facilities certified to the ISO 14001 standard by the end of 2008.

Independent auditors from Det Norske Veritas, an accredited certification body of quality, environmental and safety management systems, audited the Philadelphia site Oct. 21-24 to ensure an established environmental management system exists and that employees understand their roles in protecting the environment.

"Achieving this certification is a major accomplishment and an important demonstration of our commitment to continuous environmental improvement," said Philadelphia Site Leader Obie Jones. "The positive feedback we received during the audit demonstrates that our environmental management system is mature and in good shape for long-term sustainment and improvement. We must continue our environmental vigilance -- it's essential to keeping our certification and making real productivity gains."

The auditors commended the site for its environmental achievements, including its energy-conservation and recycling programs and its management and tracking of hazardous materials.

Philadelphia joins Auburn and Everett, Wash.; Exmouth, Bankstown and Fishermans Bend, Australia; Huntsville, Ala.; Kennedy Space Center, Fla.; Long Beach, Calif.; Mesa, Ariz.; Portland, Ore.; Salt Lake City; San Antonio; St. Louis; Sylmar, Calif.; and Winnipeg, Canada as Boeing sites that have achieved ISO 14001 certification.

The Boeing Company is committed to pioneering environmentally progressive technology and relentlessly reducing its environmental footprint. Since the introduction of the first Boeing jetliner, airplane emissions of carbon dioxide have been reduced by around 70 percent and noise footprints have been reduced by approximately 90 percent. Boeing targets improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions of each new generation of commercial airplane by at least 15 percent compared with the airplanes they replace. Boeing has set aggressive targets to increase solid-waste-recycling rates and energy efficiency by 25 percent and to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions intensity by 25 percent at its major manufacturing facilities by 2012, with a comparable goal for hazardous-waste reduction. For more information, visit the company's Environment Report at www.boeing.com/environment.

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of Military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $32.1 billion business with 71,000 employees worldwide.