Getting Your EMS Started: Policy Statements - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Getting Your EMS Started:Policy Statements

EPA Regions 9 & 10

and

The Federal Network for Sustainability

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Make policy statement consistent with EMS framework
• Appropriate to activities at facility

• 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