Environmental Management Systems: An Auditing Perspective

1. Environmental Management Systems:An Auditing Perspective Captain David Cook Headquarters Marine Corps 24 August 1999

2. Auditing an EMSOverview • What is an EMS? • Types of EMS • EMS Framework • Auditing an EMS • Type of Audit & Why • Audit Focus & Criteria • Why Audit Using ISO 14000? • Bottom Line

3. Auditing an EMSWhat is an EMS • ISO 14001 Definition • EPA - An EMS... • Focuses on practices • Provides Structure • Allows Flexibility • USMC • Enhance Readiness • Protect Health • Protect Environmental Quality

4. Auditing an EMSEMS Framework Effectiveness of EMS Strictly Compliance Focused EMS Time

5. Auditing an EMSDoD EMS Framework DoD MAJCOMS Air Force Navy Major Claimants USMC DLA Army MACOMS

6. Report Card Adversarial Limited Information Flow Limited Corrective Action Health of Program More Cooperative Two-way flow of information Help find solutions to problems Follow-up Auditing an EMSType of Audit Inspections v. Evaluations

7. Auditing an EMSBenefits of Auditing • Reduce Compliance Vulnerabilities • Find and Correct Discrepancies • Educate/Improve awareness • Improve Environmental Performance • Ensure Procedures are Implemented • Correct Systemic Problems • Share Ideas and BMPs • Public Perception Improvement

8. Auditing an EMSAudit Focus & Criteria • Compliance • Use Regulatory Requirements • Conformance • Use Organizational Framework Documents • Environmental Management System • Use Both

9. Auditing an EMSWhy Audit Using ISO 14000-Pros • Established Standard • Provides A Common Baseline • Levels the competitive playing field • Makes Business Sense • It’s a good Standard

10. Auditing an EMSWhy Audit Using ISO 14000-Cons • Cost-$ $ $ • Still Subjective • Inconsistent focus of Auditors • No Guarantee (Perception) • Hard to Quantify Benefits vs. Costs

11. Auditing an EMSBottom Line • The EMS Framework is Organization Dependent • Audit performance to evaluate conformance • Benefits of Certification need to be Critically Examined