Overview of EMS and ISO Environmental Management Systems Workshop Mobile, AL June 20-21, 2001 Beth Graves NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance

What is an EMS? Systematic way of managing an organization’s environmental affairs Based on Plan-Do-Check-Act Model (PDCA) Focused on Continual Improvement of System Addresses immediate and long-term impact of an organization’s products, services and processes on the environment. A tool to improve environmental performance

EMS Model Policy Plannin g Implementation Checking Corrective Action Management Review

EMS Elements Policy Statement/Commitment Identification of Significant Environmental Impacts Development of Objectives and Targets Implementation Plan to Meet Obj. and Targets Checking and Follow-up Training Management Review

EMS Focus not only on what but also why Top management priority Dynamic Flexible, simple Employee involvement Endorses continual improvement

What is ISO? International Organization for Standardization - Not an acronym "ISO" is a word, derived from the Greek isos, meaning "equal.” From "equal" to "standard”-- line of thinking that led to the choice of "ISO" as the organization’s name.

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Worldwide federation of national standards bodies from over 100 countries, one representative from each country. Non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 1947, located in Switzerland. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is US representative to ISO

History World Commission on Env. & Development (WCED) published “Our Common Future” –first use of “sustainable development” –called for the development of effective env. management systems by industries Creation of Strategic Advisory Group on the Environment (SAGE) –Recommended that a new ISO Technical Committee (TC) be formed to develop standards for EM January ISO creates TC 207 (TC 176 over QMS standards - ISO 9000) Fall 1996 – ISO adopted

ISO Organization

Structure of ISO’s TC 207

Sub-Committees of TC 207 SC 1: EMS - UK SC 2: Env. Auditing - Netherlands SC 3: Env. Labeling - Australia SC 4: Env. Performance Evaluation - US SC 5: Life Cycle Assessment - France SC 6: Terms and Definitions - Norway

ISO Standards Family Management System standards –EMS, auditing, EPE (14030) Product standards –LCA (14040), labeling (14020)

ISO Family A series of guidance documents and standards to help organizations address environmental issues. –14001: Environmental Management Systems –14004: EMS general guidelines –14010: Guidelines for Environmental Auditing –14011: Guidelines for Auditing of an EMS –14012: Auditing - Qualification criteria –14020: Environmental Labeling –14030: Env. Performance Evaluation (EPE) –14040: Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Environmental Management System (EMS) ISO is the specification standard that is a model for an environmental management system. ISO is the guidance for the EMS specification is the only specification standard in the ISO series.

Becoming ISO certified ISO is the only certification standard Registration body examines EMS for conformity to the ISO standard Not a compliance audit, an EMS audit Facility awarded registration Does NOT mean that products are more environmentally friendly Does mean have a documented EMS that is fully implemented and consistently followed

To Whom Do the Standards Apply? Standard is Voluntary Large and Small Businesses & Industry Service Sectors (hospitals, hotels, etc.) City and County Government Applicable to all types of organizations, of all sizes anywhere in the world

17 Requirements in ISO Env. Policy 4.2Document control Env. Aspects 4.3.1Operational control Legal and other req Emergency preparedness and response Obj. and targets 4.3.3Monitoring and measurement Env. Mgmt. Program 4.3.4Corrective/preventive action Structure and Responsibility 4.4.1Records Training, awareness, and competence EMS audit Communication 4.4.3Management Review 4.6 EMS documentation 4.4.4

Some EMS Models Metal Finishers National Biosolids Partnership Project XL with the United Egg Producers Agriculture EMS models (livestock, soybean) SGIA model Federal facility models (CEMP, DOE guide) Compliance-focused EMS (CFEMS) Commission for Env. Cooperation (CEC guide)

EPA Position published in Federal Register 3/12/98 “Implementation of an EMS has the potential to improve an organization’s environmental performance and compliance with regulatory requirements. EPA supports and will help promote the development and use of EMSs, including those based on the ISO standard...”

US EPA and EMSs Published Federal Register notice 3/12/98 EPA “Aiming for Excellence” Report Sept. 99 Office of Water funded pilot efforts in 10 states, municipality pilots – 1 st project complete, beginning second pilot, new pilot with Biosolids Assoc. Region I Star Track program; Region IX EMS template for metal finishers Office of Reinvention signed “Regulatory Framework” agreement with the states based on EPA/ECOS Regulatory Innovation Agreement EMS and Enforcement – 8 cases