![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Publications
Guidance on the Development and Use of Environmental Management Systems
- Environmental Management Systems: An Implementation Guide for Small and Medium Sized Organizations
- How to Implement an EMS PEER Center
- An Environmental Management System Troubleshooters' Guide for Local Governments
- EMS: A Better Bottom Line for Local Government
- EMS Integration Project
- Environmental Management System Pilot Program for Local Government Entities
- Standardizing Excellence: Working with Smaller Businesses to Implement Environmental Management Systems
- Environmental Management Systems Primer for Federal Facilities
- Understanding and Implementing an Environmental Management System
- IEMS Implementation Guide: Integrated Environmental Management Systems (IEMS) - Design for the Environment
- Moving Toward Comprehensive Utility Management Systems: Report of the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) for Public Utilities Integration Project
- Biosolids EMS Guidance Manual (Updated 6-18-02)
- Environmental Management Systems Tools: A Reference Guide
- The Small Business Source Book on Environmental Auditing
- Third-Party Auditing of Environmental Management Systems: U.S. Registration Practices for ISO 14001
- EMS Case Study: City of Gastonia Wastewater
Treatment Division
EMS and Compliance and Enforcement Activities
- Environmental
Management Systems: An Implementation Guide for Small and Medium Sized Organizations
(PDF, 201 pages, 1391KB, info
about PDF)
-
NSF International, Ann Arbor, MI, January 2001 (funded by EPA). Although developed for smaller organizations, this guide is an excellent primer on EMS and can be used by organizations of any size. It provides a step-by-step approach to implementing EMS at smaller organizations and includes worksheets and examples. The publication includes an extensive appendix of sample EMS documents and procedures.
Return to Top
-
- How
to Implement an EMS PEER Center
- The information and guidance is structured to address the needs and
issues that a public entity might encounter as they prepare for, develop,
and implement an EMS. The material is based on the experiences of 23
participants involved in the two EMS Initiatives for Government Entities
funded by EPA through a cooperative agreement with the Global Environment
& Technology Foundation. From start to finish, a two-year timeframe
is suggested for the EMS implementation process. However, the implementation
process can be shortened or extended based upon the organization's culture
and needs. A four-phased implementation process is recommended for manageable
implementation of the EMS elements/requirements. The field-tested guidance,
implementation tools, and sample documentation are based on the lessons
learned, benefits, barriers, and keys to success of the 23 participants.
They will aid you in the EMS implementation process and help streamline
efforts to develop a successful EMS.
Return to Top
- The information and guidance is structured to address the needs and
issues that a public entity might encounter as they prepare for, develop,
and implement an EMS. The material is based on the experiences of 23
participants involved in the two EMS Initiatives for Government Entities
funded by EPA through a cooperative agreement with the Global Environment
& Technology Foundation. From start to finish, a two-year timeframe
is suggested for the EMS implementation process. However, the implementation
process can be shortened or extended based upon the organization's culture
and needs. A four-phased implementation process is recommended for manageable
implementation of the EMS elements/requirements. The field-tested guidance,
implementation tools, and sample documentation are based on the lessons
learned, benefits, barriers, and keys to success of the 23 participants.
They will aid you in the EMS implementation process and help streamline
efforts to develop a successful EMS.
- An
Environmental Management System Troubleshooters' Guide for Local Governments
- Global Environment & Technology Foundation and PEER Center, October
2002. The Environmental Management System (EMS) Troubleshooters' Guide
for Local Governments was compiled from experiences and lessons learned
through various EMS Initiatives for Government Entities. The practical
data and case study material was extracted from over 23 municipal, state,
and local organizations which implemented EMSs as participants in these
initiatives. The document is structured to systematically lead a facility,
by addressing the needs and issues that a facility might encounter,
throughout the four phases of EMS implementation. The Guide is "user-friendly"
with each individual phase packaged as an individual workbook, complete
with phase-specific sample documentation examples, case study materials,
and troubleshooting guidance.
Return to Top
- Global Environment & Technology Foundation and PEER Center, October
2002. The Environmental Management System (EMS) Troubleshooters' Guide
for Local Governments was compiled from experiences and lessons learned
through various EMS Initiatives for Government Entities. The practical
data and case study material was extracted from over 23 municipal, state,
and local organizations which implemented EMSs as participants in these
initiatives. The document is structured to systematically lead a facility,
by addressing the needs and issues that a facility might encounter,
throughout the four phases of EMS implementation. The Guide is "user-friendly"
with each individual phase packaged as an individual workbook, complete
with phase-specific sample documentation examples, case study materials,
and troubleshooting guidance.
- EMS:
A Better Bottom Line for Local Government (PDF, 72KB, 2 pages, info
about PDF)
- Published jointly by EPA, the Global Environment & Technology
Foundation, and the PEER Center, October 2003. A fact sheet which outlines
the benefits of implementing EMSs.
Return to Top
- Published jointly by EPA, the Global Environment & Technology
Foundation, and the PEER Center, October 2003. A fact sheet which outlines
the benefits of implementing EMSs.
- EMS
Integration Project (PDF, 1034KB, 55 pages. info
about PDF)
- Published jointly by EPA, AMSA and WEF, September 2002. As public
utilities focus more and more on ways to provide services more efficiently
and address a full range of environmental obligations, utility-wide
EMSs, that also incorporate the use of other important management tools
like asset management, bench marking ,etc., need to be explored. To
spur this effort, EPA's Office of Water working with AMSA and WEF, are
collaborating on a project to explore the feasibility of a utility-wide
EMS approach. A panel of experts and practitioners was convened to discuss
and hopefully reach consensus on ways to better define this approach
and determine the need for guidance to assist water and wastewater utilities
move in this direction. The final report on Phase I of this project
is available. Work is on-going.
Return to Top
- Published jointly by EPA, AMSA and WEF, September 2002. As public
utilities focus more and more on ways to provide services more efficiently
and address a full range of environmental obligations, utility-wide
EMSs, that also incorporate the use of other important management tools
like asset management, bench marking ,etc., need to be explored. To
spur this effort, EPA's Office of Water working with AMSA and WEF, are
collaborating on a project to explore the feasibility of a utility-wide
EMS approach. A panel of experts and practitioners was convened to discuss
and hopefully reach consensus on ways to better define this approach
and determine the need for guidance to assist water and wastewater utilities
move in this direction. The final report on Phase I of this project
is available. Work is on-going.
- Environmental
Management System Pilot Program for Local Government Entities
- A detailed report on a pilot project that the EPA Office of Wastewater
Management sponsored in 1997-99 to implement EMSs at nine public agencies
across the country. The final report discusses the process, benefits,
and costs to the participants. Case studies describe each facility's
experiences, including benefits, resource commitments (e.g., labor,
cost of consultants if used), and the barriers to development and implementation
of EMSs. Prepared by Global Environment & Technology Foundation
under cooperative agreement with EPA, Annandale, VA. Report also available
summarizing experiences of additional public agencies during 2000-2002.
Return to Top
- A detailed report on a pilot project that the EPA Office of Wastewater
Management sponsored in 1997-99 to implement EMSs at nine public agencies
across the country. The final report discusses the process, benefits,
and costs to the participants. Case studies describe each facility's
experiences, including benefits, resource commitments (e.g., labor,
cost of consultants if used), and the barriers to development and implementation
of EMSs. Prepared by Global Environment & Technology Foundation
under cooperative agreement with EPA, Annandale, VA. Report also available
summarizing experiences of additional public agencies during 2000-2002.
- Standardizing
Excellence: Working with Smaller Businesses to Implement Environmental Management
Systems (PDF, 468KB, 55 pages, info
about PDF)
- The goal of the EMS Assistance Strategy Initiative was to identify
practical and effective ways to promote, design, and assist small and
medium-sized organizations with implementing an EMS. Toward this end,
workshops were held to examine current experiences and develop a set
of recommendations to help guide future work in promoting the use of
EMSs to smaller entities. The report includes information on the costs
and benefits of EMSs. October 2001, prepared by Green Business Network
and National Environmental Education and Training Foundation under cooperative
agreement with EPA.
Return to Top
- The goal of the EMS Assistance Strategy Initiative was to identify
practical and effective ways to promote, design, and assist small and
medium-sized organizations with implementing an EMS. Toward this end,
workshops were held to examine current experiences and develop a set
of recommendations to help guide future work in promoting the use of
EMSs to smaller entities. The report includes information on the costs
and benefits of EMSs. October 2001, prepared by Green Business Network
and National Environmental Education and Training Foundation under cooperative
agreement with EPA.
- Environmental
Management Systems Primer for Federal Facilities (PDF, 192KB, 71 pages,
info about PDF)
- Office of Environmental Policy & Assistance of the U.S. Department
of Energy and the Federal Facilities Enforcement Office of EPA, 1998.
The goal of this guide is to help Federal managers understand EMSs and
their use in improving environmental management at facilities. This
guide is not intended to be a technical or detailed manual on EMS implementation.
Rather, the primer outlines the elements of an EMS, offers tips on how
to make the case for developing an EMS to senior managers, explains
how an EMS will benefit an organization, and places EMSs in the context
of regulations, compliance issues, pollution prevention, and other government
programs.
Return to Top
- Office of Environmental Policy & Assistance of the U.S. Department
of Energy and the Federal Facilities Enforcement Office of EPA, 1998.
The goal of this guide is to help Federal managers understand EMSs and
their use in improving environmental management at facilities. This
guide is not intended to be a technical or detailed manual on EMS implementation.
Rather, the primer outlines the elements of an EMS, offers tips on how
to make the case for developing an EMS to senior managers, explains
how an EMS will benefit an organization, and places EMSs in the context
of regulations, compliance issues, pollution prevention, and other government
programs.
- Understanding
and Implementing an Environmental Management System
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Pollution
Prevention Unit (under EPA Region 2 cooperative agreement), a step-by-step
EMS guide for small and medium-sized organizations.
Return to Top
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Pollution
Prevention Unit (under EPA Region 2 cooperative agreement), a step-by-step
EMS guide for small and medium-sized organizations.
- IEMS
Implementation Guide: Integrated Environmental Management Systems (IEMS)
- Design for the Environment
- EPA/744-R-00-011, October 2000. Meant for those already working with
Design for the Environment (DfE) concepts, this guide was developed
by the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics based on a pilot
project with the Screen Printing and Graphic Imaging Association International.
The DfE guide makes use of the DfE technical approach in the EMS design
process, which stresses risk management, consideration of cross-media
impacts, efficient use of energy and resources, product and process
responsibility, and the integration of environmental and health and
safety requirements.
Return to Top
- EPA/744-R-00-011, October 2000. Meant for those already working with
Design for the Environment (DfE) concepts, this guide was developed
by the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics based on a pilot
project with the Screen Printing and Graphic Imaging Association International.
The DfE guide makes use of the DfE technical approach in the EMS design
process, which stresses risk management, consideration of cross-media
impacts, efficient use of energy and resources, product and process
responsibility, and the integration of environmental and health and
safety requirements.
- Moving
Toward Comprehensive Utility Management Systems: Report of the Environmental
Management Systems (EMS) for Public Utilities Integration Project (PDF,
1230KB, 55 pages, info about
PDF)
- Prepared by Ross & Associates, CH2M-Hill, and Sear Brown under
the guidance of the EMS Integration Project Workgroup sponsored by AMSA
and WEF and funded by EPA. The Workgroup objectives include:
- Identify and document the successful use of EMS and other utility management tools in the United States and other countries that can be useful components of a comprehensive EMS.
- Identify barriers to integrating these programs and tools into a utility-wide EMS.
- Identify methods that would facilitate the integration of these programs and tools into a utility-wide EMS.
- Identify incentives that would motivate utilities currently implementing worthwhile programs and tools to integrate them into an overall EMS.
- Develop recommendations and guidance on the development and implementation of comprehensive EMS by public water and wastewater utilities.
- The Workgroup reviewed a number of different management initiatives
in addition to EMS. To better understand the relationships among
the management initiatives, the Workgroup loosely grouped them into
two categories: management tools that provide
specific and concrete direction on and methods for selecting performance
levels, best practices, and/or appropriate policies and procedures
and management system frameworks that emphasize
a "plan, do, check, act" continual improvement approach.
Return to Top
- Prepared by Ross & Associates, CH2M-Hill, and Sear Brown under
the guidance of the EMS Integration Project Workgroup sponsored by AMSA
and WEF and funded by EPA. The Workgroup objectives include:
- Biosolids
EMS Guidance Manual (Updated 6-18-02)
- National Biosolids Partnership, June 2002; other NBP documents include
"Manual of Good Practice for Biosolids," "EMS Auditors Guidance."
Return to Top
- National Biosolids Partnership, June 2002; other NBP documents include
"Manual of Good Practice for Biosolids," "EMS Auditors Guidance."
- Environmental
Management Systems Tools: A Reference Guide ( PDF, 333 kb, 70 pages,
info about PDF)
- EPA, 2001, EPA 300-B-02-012. Developed by an interagency workgroup,
the guide gives advice on how to assess an organization's EMS. Guide
is principally intended for use by Federal facilities in developing
EMSs. The assessment of gaps and strengths can greatly assist in building
better EMSs.
Return to Top
- EPA, 2001, EPA 300-B-02-012. Developed by an interagency workgroup,
the guide gives advice on how to assess an organization's EMS. Guide
is principally intended for use by Federal facilities in developing
EMSs. The assessment of gaps and strengths can greatly assist in building
better EMSs.
- The
Small Business Source Book on Environmental Auditing (PDF, 513KB, 50
pages, info about PDF)
- EPA, May 2000, EPA 233-B-00-003. This is a comprehensive resource
guide which may also be useful for organizations of all sizes. It describes
publicly available sources of information and training on environmental
auditing. Although written for small businesses, much of the information
is applicable to public agencies.
Return to Top
- EPA, May 2000, EPA 233-B-00-003. This is a comprehensive resource
guide which may also be useful for organizations of all sizes. It describes
publicly available sources of information and training on environmental
auditing. Although written for small businesses, much of the information
is applicable to public agencies.
- Third-Party
Auditing of Environmental Management Systems: U.S. Registration Practices
for ISO 14001 (PDF, 490KB, 132 pages, info
about PDF)
- Center for the Economy and the Environment of the National Academy
of Public Administration, Washington, DC, June 2001. At the request
of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, the Center
for the Economy and the Environment conducted a year-long, independent
evaluation of how the third-party registration system for environmental
management systems is unfolding in the United States under ISO 14001,
the international standard for EMSs. The project assessed how ISO 14001
registrars perform their certifications, and is developing a set of
recommendations for improving the practices of the overall registration
system for the United States.
Return to Top
- Center for the Economy and the Environment of the National Academy
of Public Administration, Washington, DC, June 2001. At the request
of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Water, the Center
for the Economy and the Environment conducted a year-long, independent
evaluation of how the third-party registration system for environmental
management systems is unfolding in the United States under ISO 14001,
the international standard for EMSs. The project assessed how ISO 14001
registrars perform their certifications, and is developing a set of
recommendations for improving the practices of the overall registration
system for the United States.
- EMS Case
Study: City of Gastonia Wastewater Treatment Division (PDF, 421KB, 2
pages, info about PDF)
- North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental
Assistance
Return to Top
- North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental
Assistance
EMS and Compliance and Enforcement Activities
- Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse includes many tools, policies, and other items relating to EMS
- A list of EMS publications related to compliance
- Guidance on the Use of Environmental Management Systems in Enforcement Settlements as Injunctive Relief and supplemental Environmental Projects (PDF, 10 pages, 301 kb, info about PDF) EPA Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assistance, June 2003
- Improving Environmental Performance and Compliance - Ten Elements of Effective Environmental Management Systems (PDF, 10 pages, 47 kb, info about PDF) Commission for Environmental Cooperation, June 2000
- Summary
of, "Improving Environmental Performance and Compliance - Elements
of an
Effective Environmental Management System"nvironmental Management System Guidance Document This is a summary of a document that provides Information on the preparation of Environmental Management System.
Return to Top