Direct shipping from the manufacturer to the customer, bypassing distribution centers or warehouses, reduces inventory obsolescence. This is because products spend less time in storage and are delivered more quickly to customers, minimizing the risk of inventory becoming outdated or unsellable. Direct shipping can also improve inventory velocity, as products are moved directly to their end destination without intermediate storage, thus reducing the time they spend in the supply chain.
References:
"The Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management" by Alan Rushton, Phil Croucher, and Peter Baker
"Supply Chain Management: Strategy, Planning, and Operation" by Sunil Chopra and Peter Meindl

The primary use of the ISO 14001 standard is to provide guidance in monitoring the environmental impact of a firm's activities, products, and services throughout their life cycle. ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) that helps organizations minimize their environmental footprint, comply with regulations, and improve environmental performance. It focuses on a systematic approach to continuous improvement in environmental management.
References
* International Organization for Standardization (ISO) documentation on ISO 14001.
* Environmental Management literature.