A system of environmental management (EMS) involves much more than the traditional pursuit of full compliance with local, State, and federal environmental laws, although that is the foundation upon which such a system rests. Isn’t full compliance with environmental laws enough for anyone or any company? Yes, simple and full compliance could be all anyone could want. So, why do so many companies pursue something that goes beyond simple and full compliance? Here’s some reasons cited by one company that established an effective EMS:

improved company performance and increased profits
improved safety performance and fewer days away from work
sustainable compliance with environmental laws
regulatory / enforcement incentives for participating companies

How do these benefits come about?

– The experience of a major gasoline refinery in Louisiana is that before taking their EMS seriously, they would have explosions, angry neighbors, environmental justice lawsuits, periodic enforcement problems with State environmental regulatory agencies, and low employee morale. These problems would combine to lower company profits, increase financial risk, and decrease employee productivity. With a serious EMS, the company identified those aspects of its operation that posed the highest risk of environmental non-compliance, risk of production slow-down / explosion, and risk of reduced employee productivity. The systematic approach to reducing those risks is what their EMS represented. It wasn’t the job of the Safety Department or the Environmental Department to deliver those results; it was the job of the company president down to the minimum wage, temporary worker. With the EMS, the corporate office was pleased to announce improved performance, increased profits, improved safety, improved environmental compliance, and happier neighbors.

– The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rewards companies with demonstrated, effective EMSs with reduced regulatory oversight. Many State environmenal regulatory agencies provide similar incentives. These agencies cite companies’ measurable objectives and targets for maintaining compliance, reducing risks, and advancing other company priorities.

For more information about EMS, visit the following websites:

www.gemi.org/ISO_111.pdf
www.epa.gov/performancetrack/events/programguidance.htm