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Environmental Management Systems (EMS)
An EMS is a continual cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing and improving the processes and actions that an organization undertakes to meet its operational and environmental goals. It is a set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts. This includes non-regulated environmental impacts like energy use, carbon dioxide emissions, and purchase and use of products that have less impact on the environment. With an EMS the organization’s environmental impacts become the responsibility of all employees and managers.This page provides resources on developing an EMS and why organizations should develop an EMS. It also will link you to Region 4's EMS program. This Web site describes the EMS Program for EPA Region 4 located at 61 Forsyth Street, Atlanta, Georgia (Atlanta Office). The Region 4 facility in Athens, Georgia, is considered a separate reporting unit and has it's own EMS Program.
Why Develop an EMS?
An EMS can result in both business and environmental benefits. For example, an EMS may help you:
- Improve environmental performance
- Enhance compliance
- Prevent pollution and conserve resources
- Reduce/mitigate risks
- Attract new customers and markets
- Increase efficiency
- Reduce costs
- Enhance employee morale and possibly attract new employees
- Enhance organization’s image with the public, regulators, lenders, and investors
- Improve employee awareness of environmental responsibilities
- Qualify for recognition/incentive programs such as the EPA Performance Track Program
For more information about EMS see the following links:
EPA’s Position on EMS (http://www.epa.gov/ems/position/index.htm)
EMS Initiatives Supported by the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/ems/initiatives/index.htm
EMS at EPA Facilities (http://www.epa.gov/ems/epaown/index.htm)
Resources & Publications (http://www.epa.gov/ems/resources/index.htm)
Frequently Asked Questions about EMS (http://www.epa.gov/ems/info/faq.htm)
State EMS Initiatives (http://www.epa.gov/ems/otherfed/state.htm)
Water/Wastewater Initiatives (http://www.epa.gov/ems/initiatives/water.htm)
National Environmental Performance Track (http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/)
PEER (Public Entity EMS Resource) (
http://www.peercenter.net/) 
National Directory of EMS Technical Assistance (http://www.peercenter.net/taps/)