Getting Your EMS Started: Policy Statements

1. Getting Your EMS Started:Policy Statements EPA Regions 9 & 10 and The Federal Network for Sustainability

2. Objectives After this discussion, you should be able to: • List the things that should be included in an environmental policy statement • Describe the importance of a policy statement • Determine if your agency has a policy statement

3. Overview • Definition of a policy statement • Importance of a policy statement • Timing the development of a policy statement • Examples of policy statements

4. Definition An environmental policy is a statement by an organization of its intentions and principles in relation to its overall environmental performance which provides a framework for action and for the setting of its environmental objectives and targets. (ISO14001)

5. ISO 14001 Requirements In an ISO 14001 conformant EMS, an E. policy statement must: • Be appropriate to the nature, scale and E. impacts of its activities, products or services • Be documented, implemented, maintained and communicated to all employees • Include a commitment to: • Continual improvement and prevention of pollution • Compliance w/ environmental regulations and other requirements to which the organization subscribes • Be available to the public

6. ISO 14004 on Environmental Policy Some other considerations in developing policy: • Coordination with other organizational policies – safety, quality • Specific local or regional conditions • Life cycle thinking • Involvement and communication with interested parties • Work toward sustainable development • Use of EMS by suppliers and contractors

7. Policy Statement Importance • Demonstrates management commitment • Defines framework for EMS • for example, ISO 14001 • 3rd party registration • self-declared • Provides framework for setting objectives and targets

8. Timing the Policy Statement Policy statement may not be first step • Review your agency’s policy • Determine level of awareness of EMS with senior managers • Make a case for EMS first

9. Making a Case for EMS • Identify your facility’s priorities • Mission statements • Resource allocation • Determine management’s priorities • Ground the EMS in those priorities • Improve compliance • Reduce cost • Enhance mission

10. Examples of Policy Statements • Executive Order 13148 • DoD USD/ATL Memo - April 5, 2002 • EPA EMS Implementation Policy - May 17, 02 • USAF Memo - January 5, 2001 • Army OASA(I&E) Memo - July 13, 2001 • NPS - Memo from Director • DoE Notice 450.4 - February 5, 2001

11. Statements from Facility Managers • Facility managers represent lowest level of management chain with operational control over EMS aspects • Most employees follow the lead of the facility manager, not environmental managers

12. Writing the Policy Statement • Make policy statement consistent with EMS framework • Appropriate to activities at facility

13. Summary • ISO 14001 defines minimum pieces of a policy statement • ISO 14004 provides further assistance • Policy provides framework for EMS – key document • Timing of policy statement is important • Many agencies already have policy statements – but may need changes