Environmental Management System (EMS) Survey Information
Where is it?
A two question survey is presented on the Update Facility Information screen in the Air Reporting System (ARS) Internet software. You are asked to answer the two questions using radio buttons. You have a choice of choosing for an answer to each question: No, Yes, and Don't Know.
Why is it done?
DNR would like to know if companies are using formal Environmental Management Systems (EMS) and if companies with systems have made the investment to have those systems certified/audited by third parties. An EMS is being used as the basis for collaborative, flexible working relationships enable by a law which allows those companies to be treated differently. The law has produced both environmental and economic advantages for the companies. The two question survey in the ARS software program helps us track the trends in EMS usage and determine where additional flexibilities might be available for businesses. We ask you to fill out this survey even if you filled it out in prior years.
The Environmental Management Systems we seek to identify are those that meet the requirements of ISO 14001 or are equivalent to ISO 14001. An equivalent environmental management system would include:
- An environmental policy.
- Complete environmental aspects and impacts.
- Plans to achieve, maintain, and exceed environmental requirements.
- Identification of environmental legal requirements.
- Objectives and plans to meet them.
- Operational control and responsibility for environmental performance.
- Employee environmental training programs.
- Preventive, corrective and emergency action plans.
- Communication plans for environmental issues.
- Document control and record keeping of environmental performance.
- Audits of the environmental management systems.
- Senior management review.
Others systems that could be equivalent include the Natural Step, environmental systems based on the Baldrige Award Criteria or Quality Management Systems that have been adapted to include the elements listed above. There are also trade specific EMS’s such as the Sustainable Green Printers that may also be functionally equivalent.
For more information regarding EMS to to the DNR's Green Tier and EMS webpage.
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