ISO14000 Free Publications -EPA Environmental Management Systems Guidance

ISO14000 / Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Publications

These free documents provide a foundation for understanding what the EPA expects from an EMS.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and the US EPA

EMS documents focus on environmental management practices rather than the activities themselves. EMS documents describe the structure by which certain activities can be carried out.

Environmental Management Reviews (EMRs)

An Environmental Management Review is a review of an individual facility's environmental program and management systems to determine the extent to which a facility has developed and implemented specific environmental protection programs and plans. These reviews are performed by EPA personal and their representatives. There is no charge for this assessment . The outcome of the review is a report generated by EPA sent directly to the facility highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the facility's Environmental Management System. The facility is required to consider implementing the EPA recommendations and is required to report on progress. If properly managed, an Environmental Management System should ensure compliance and progress towards environmental excellence. Region III has completed several EMRs over the last two years and believes that the EMR is a powerful tool in assessing a facility's Environmental Management System. For a more detailed description on EMRs, please open the links listed below.

Other EMS Guidance Documents

Guidance on the Use of Environmental Management Systems in Enforcement Settlements as Injunctive Relief and Supplemental Environmental Projects - (6/10/03)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/incentives/ems/emssettlementguidance.pdf (PDF 311 kb) Improving Environmental Performance and Compliance Ten Elements of Effective Environmental Management Systems - (6/30/00)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/incentives/ems/cecguidedoc.pdf (PDF 47 kb ) Compliance-Focused Environmental Management System - Enforcement Agreement Guidance - (8/31/97)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/ems12elemr.pdf (PDF 130 kb ) An Implementation Guide for Small and Medium-Sized Organizations - (3/31/97)
http://www.epa.gov/owm/iso14001/ems2001final.pdf (PDF 896 kb ) Implementation Guide For the Code of Environmental Management Principles for Federal Agencies (CEMP) (EPA-315-B-97-001) - (3/1/97)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/cempmaster.pdf (PDF 11,105 KB ) Executive Guide to Facility Environmental Management by the Civilian Federal Agency Task Force - (11/30/95)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/exgfacenvmgmt.pdf (PDF 188 kb )

Federal Facilities

EPA conducts Environmental Management Reviews (or EMRs) of EMSs at Federal Facilities to assist facility managers in improving their environmental programs. Detailed information on EMRs can be found in the documents below: Environmental Management Systems Tools - A Reference Guide - (6/30/01)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/emstoolsmas.pdf (PDF 333 kb ) Revised Environmental Review Policy and Guidance for Federal Facilities - (4/30/01)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/incentives/ems/emrpolicymas.pdf (PDF 803 kb ) An Environmental Management Review of the National Park Service: Based on the Code of Environmental Management Principles - (8/1/00)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/emsnps.pdf (PDF 185 kb ) Environmental Management Review (EMR) National Report: Lessons Learned in Conducting EMRs at Federal Facilities - (11/30/99)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/emrnatrpt.pdf (PDF 428 kb ) Environmental Management Systems Primer - (1/1/98)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/emsprimer.pdf (PDF 192 kb ) Generic Protocol for Conducting Environmental Audits of Federal Facilities - Phase 3 - (12/31/86)
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/incentives/ems/genprotocol3.pdf (PDF 630 kb )