4) We have a number of policies and programs (e.g., health & safety, quality, compliance) in place already. Do we need an EMS?

An EMS can increase an organization’s ability and capacity to achieve and maintain compliance by spporting and building on many of your current management programs and policies.  For a compliance program, an EMS can help you to manage regulations more consistently and effectively because of its management structure of planning, checking and continuous improvement.  It also can help you identify and implement environmental opportunities that go beyond compliance.

Remember that an EMS will not result in less stringent environmental compliance obligations.  However, an EMS should improve your efforts to comply with legal obligations, and, in some cases, may lead to more flexible compliance requirements.  Review National Performance Track and State EMS Incentive Programs.

As your organization considers the value of an EMS, keep in mind that that there is no need to “reinvent the wheel” or “start over”.  Much of what your organization has in place now for managing your facility can be incorporated into the EMS.

For example, if your organization already has a quality management system (QMS) or similar program, you will find significant similarities between the EMS and QMS.  Take a look at the table below to see where an EMS could build on and utilize many of your quality programs and policies.

Quality Management System	Environmental Management System
Quality Policy   Adequate Resources   Responsibilities and Authorities   Training   System Documentation   Process Controls   Document Control   System Audits   Management Review	Environmental Policy   Adequate Resources   Responsibilities and Authorities   Training   System Documentation   Operational Controls   Document Control   System Audits   Management Review