Background
History of EMS:
The most commonly used framework for an EMS is the one developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for the ISO 14001 standard. Established in 1996, this framework is the official international standard for an EMS.
In order to support the June 1992 United National Conference on Environmental Development held in Brazil, the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) made a commitment to determine ways in which it might support the concept of sustainable business development. An international technical committee of ISO, the Technical Committee 207 (TC 207), is responsible for developing the ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standards. TC 207 was formed in January 1993, and by September 1994, approximately 50 countries were working on developing tools and systems in six areas of environmental management.
The EPA's Sector Strategies Program, developed in 2002, achieves performance improvement and burden reduction in 13 important sectors by addressing their unique issues and challenges in a collaborative setting. Sector strategies may include targeted regulatory changes, sector-based EMS programs, and easier links to assistance services. Action plans are supported by shared knowledge and objective analysis. Innovative measurement approaches track performance with a more strategic allocation of resources by all stakeholders.
Since then, a number of sector specific frameworks have been developed and are currently in use. Further information can be found throughout this website.
How long have organizations been using EMSs?
In March 1998, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a formal document which communicates EPA’s position regarding EMSs, including those based on the ISO 14001 standard. The EPA issued subsequent Position Statement in December 2005 (EPA EMS Position Statement) and an EMS Policy Statement in 2002 (EPA EMS Policy Statement).
Statement of Principles:
EPA’s overall policy on EMSs, as with the EMS approach itself, will continue to be guided by the principles of continual improvement and learning, flexibility, and collaboration.
- EPA will encourage widespread use of EMSs across a range of organizations and settings,with particular emphasis on adoption of EMSs to achieve improved environmental performance and compliance, pollution prevention through source reduction, and continual improvement. The Agency will support EMSs that are appropriate to the needs and characteristics of specific sectors and facilities and encourage the use of EMSs as a means of integrating other facility management programs.
- EPA will promote the voluntary adoption of EMSs. To encourage voluntary adoption of EMSs, EPA will rely on public education and voluntary programs.
- EPA will encourage organizations that use EMSs to obtain stakeholder input on matters relevant to the development and implementation of an EMS and to demonstrate accountability for the performance outcomes of their EMSs through measurable objectives and targets. Additionally, the Agency will encourage organizations to share information on the performance of their EMSs with public and government agencies and facilitate this process where practicable.
- EPA will encourage the use of recognized environmental management frameworks, such as the ISO 14001 Standard, as a basis for designing and implementing EMSs that aim to achieve outcomes aligned with the nation’s environmental policy goals and the principles of this Position Statement.
- EPA will collaborate with other key partners – including states, other federal agencies, tribes, local governments, industry, and non-governmental organizations – as it implements this policy. EPA will support international EMS initiatives that facilitate the increased use of EMSs in the United States. The Agency will ensure that as it implements this policy, its decisions and work are transparent to all interested parties.
- EPA will lead by example, by developing, implementing, and maintaining EMSs at appropriate EPA facilities.
- EPA will foster continual learning by supporting research and public dialogue on EMSs that help improve the Agency’s understanding of circumstances where EMSs can advance the nation’s environmental policy goals. EPA will continue to collect improved data on the application of EMSs as it becomes available, including the efficacy of EMSs in improving environmental performance and the costs and benefits of an EMS to an organization and the environment.
DATE: December 13, 2005
Signed: Stephen L. Johnson, Administrator