Environmental Management Systems

A recent trend is that regulatory agencies are requiring companies to adopt, develop, and implement an Environmental [Health and Safety] Management System (EMS) as part of Consent Agreements to settle past non-compliance and to improve these efforts moving forward. Intentions are that the EMS is established with considerations for operational perspectives and through the application of proven environmental management strategies to achieve optimal regulatory compliance. Companies are also using the EMS as an important tracking tool and attempting to incorporate flexible permitting solutions to reduce the risk of future deviations.

Developing and implementing an EMS provides structure to your existing compliance programs and allows your company to gain positive results that can be provided to regulatory agencies, shareholders, plant neighbors, and the general public. Further, they enable employees to measure, monitor, and reduce energy and resource use as well as emissions across the enterprise.

An ISO 14001 “plan-implement-check-act” approach may be followed to identify and sustain environmental aspect control while improving environmental compliance awareness and efficiency. Task and data automation are key considerations for a successful implementation of an EMS. The system can also be used to identify significant environmental impacts, develop objectives and targets for environmental goals, streamline training, and improve the opportunities and reduce the challenges of environmental stewardship.

When developing an EMS, a good starting point is memorializing your company’s Environmental Policy, which clearly outlines the overall objectives of the EMS and makes compliance a duty for all employees. The EMS should be an evergreen program measuring continuous improvements in environmental goals. The EPA provides guidance on developing an EMS here.