Environmental affairs are complicated – get organized!

Are you aware of all the environmental laws and regulations that may apply to your organization? Are you certain that you are meeting all of your environmental obligations? Do you understand and quantify how environmental issues affect your operations and bottom line? Do you consider environmental concerns throughout product development and all operations? Is your organization being “encouraged’ by major customers or suppliers to improve its environmental performance? Do you realize that materials you waste or emit represent liabilities and lost profit potential?

• Quantify hidden costs and liabilities
• Reduce those costs and liabilities
• Satisfy customers and suppliers
• Avoid compliance difficulties
• Gain market advantage
• Improve your public image

If you’d like to accomplish those things, then an environmental management system may be for you!

Background

One of the most significant movements over the latter part of the 20^th century, in the United States and around the world, has been the rise in environmental awareness. Now, this awareness began to move beyond the enthusiasm of environmental organizations and the vigilance of those charged with enforcing the laws of the nation. Environmental awareness is now shaping the actions of leading corporations, which are learning that they can be profitable while also improving their environmental performance.

The most significant tool businesses (and other organizations) are using to manage and improve their environmental performance is the Environmental Management System. An environmental management system, or EMS, is a comprehensive, organized, and documented system that helps organizations holistically manage all of its actions that affect the environment. The EMS most commonly followed in the United States is described in the international standard ISO 14001-2004.