An environmental management system addresses the environmental impact of an organization’s activities and establishes goals and procedures that will improve the impact it has on the environment and human health.
Establishing an environmental management system ensures that organizations maintain compliance with federal environmental regulations. These may include the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Toxic Substances Control Act.
An environmental management system protects public health and safety by establishing procedures to limit or eliminate harmful substances from entering the environment, including public water systems. Every organization in some way affects the environment, which directly affects public health. An environmental management system is an evolving policy that seeks to continually lessen negative impacts on the environment.
An emergency response plan is part of an environmental management system. A response plan establishes procedures to be followed in the event of an accident or emergency with potential environmental impact. These plans prepare organizations to quickly and efficiently respond to emergencies or accidents.
