Introduction to Environmental Management Systems EPA Regions 9 & 10

Introduction to Environmental Management Systems EPA Regions 9 & 10 and The Federal Network for Sustainability Phase 1

Objectives After this discussion, you should be able to: Describe EMS requirements in EO 13148 Define an EMS List elements in an EMS List the benefits of an EMS 2

EMS Requirements in EO 13148 Agency level EMS self assessment by October 2001 Facility pilot EMS by April 2002 EMS at all appropriate facilities by December 2005 3

What is an Environmental Management System? “The part of the overall management system that includes organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for developing, implementing achieving and reviewing the environmental policy.” ISO14001 4

What is an Environmental Management System? An environmental management system brings together the people, policies, plans, review mechanisms, and procedures used to manage environmental issues at a facility or in an organization. 5

Things About EMS You May Not Know You already have one May not meet requirements of ISO 14001 After this class, you may be able to identify ways to improve your EMS 6

An EMS is Environmental Facilitates environmental compliance Addresses environmental impacts Broadens environmental responsibilities to all whose work can have a significant impact on the environment Environmental office has technical expertise to contribute 7

An EMS is Management Must have commitment of top managers EMS owned by facility manager Must be consistent with other management systems 8

An EMS is a System Requires awareness of formal structure Addresses policies, procedures, programs Doesn’t specifically address compliance components (drums, labels, etc.) 9

Continual Improvement Cycle Etc. Plan Implement Implement Plan Review Implement Check Check Review Plan 10

EMS Frameworks ISO 14001 Standard Code of Environmental Management Principles Compliance-Focused EMS Eco-Management and Audit Scheme 11

ISO 14001 Components Environmental Policy Planning Implementation and Operation Checking and Corrective Action Management Review 12

Environmental Policy Issue a policy statement signed by facility manager At a minimum, commit to – Continual improvement – Pollution prevention – Environmental compliance Identifies EMS framework Publicly available 13

Planning Identify aspects and impacts from facility activities, products, and services Review legal requirements Set objectives and targets Establish formal EMS program 14

Implementation and Operation Define roles and responsibilities Provide EMS training Establish internal and external communication mechanisms Establish document control system Establish operational controls Integrate with or establish emergency preparedness procedures 15

Checking and Corrective Action Conduct periodic monitoring of environmental performance Identify root causes of findings and conduct corrective and preventive actions Maintain environmental records Conduct periodic EMS audit 16

Management Review Conduct periodic senior management review of EMS Revise policies as needed 17

ISO 14001 Elements Management Review Checking/ Corrective Actions Measurement and Monitoring EMS Nonconformance and Corrective Actions Records EMS Audits Environmental Policy Continuous Improvement Implementation Roles and Responsibilities Training and Communication EMS Document Control Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning Environmental Aspects Compliance Objectives and Targets Environmental Mgmt. Programs 18

Other ISO 14001 Terms Registration - An external audit of an EMS for conformance with ISO 14001 by an entity certified in the US by Registrar Accreditation Board (RAB) Registrar - Entity that conducts external audit of EMS for registration Conformance - Adherence to ISO 14001 standard measured externally or internally Self-Declaration - An assertion by an organization that it is in conformance with the ISO 14001 standard based on an internal audit of its EMS 19

Benefits of an EMS Helps maintain compliance Reduce operating costs Integrate environmental programs into mission Increase employee involvement Reduce environmental impacts 20

What’s Missing? Structure Continual improvement Top level management commitment Management review or ownership Formal awareness of “system” Or is it something else? 21

Summary An EMS is the combination of people, policies, procedures, review, and plans to help address environmental issues Important EMS elements include continual improvement, management commitment, formalization, and awareness of system approach 22