The Internet as an environmental tool

By KENT J. KADING and LISA HAAS
EMCON

The ability to access and share environmental information, whether internal to a company or as part of the activities associated with a regulatory agency, offers tremendous advances in developing effective environmental management systems.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and most states have created web site home pages that provide a vast amount of information and resources for the regulated community. Information pertaining to laws and regulations, innovative programs, the latest techniques for pollution prevention and standards for environmental performance are available through the Internet.

Companies are establishing internal Internet systems called Intranets to create a communication platform that can be used to share a myriad of information among members of their organizations. This information sharing is a necessity to drive improvements for environmental management systems.

Today, environmental regulations are changing as fast as they did in the early 1980s. Some of the modifications are providing more flexibility for businesses, including more options for risk-based decision-making during site cleanup and options for waste management that are outside the traditional full hazardous waste management scheme (for example, the universal waste rule governing batteries, thermostats and pesticides).

Other modifications, such as those associated with air quality program development and continuous compliance demonstrations, risk management planning, hazardous waste land ban restrictions, community right-to-know and stormwater discharge permits, impose new planning, monitoring and reporting responsibilities on facility owners and operators.

Still other ongoing legislative and regulatory reforms, such as the Cluster Rule and those aimed at Superfund and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), could have sweeping implications to environmental management. State requirements are also continuously changing, some becoming more stringent and some becoming less stringent than current requirements.

The need for effective information gathering and synthesis, distribution to responsible parties and integration into a company's environmental management system has never reached the level of today's demands. The Internet provides a wealth of information and a foundation that can assist companies in meeting today's and tomorrow's challenges.

In the past three years, the use of the Internet has risen dramatically. It has quickly become the preferred method by which most regulatory agencies provide information to the regulated community and the public. Information related to rules and regulations, business and industry outreach programs, information management systems, environmental management standards, environmental education, environmental databases, etc., are just a few of the examples of information that currently exists via the Internet.

Regulatory resources

The majority of federal and state regulatory agencies now have Internet sites where current regulations, pending rules, rulemaking activities and meeting announcements are posted. The EPA has created a searchable index that provides access to the most recent Federal Registers and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs). Access to this information is through the EPA Home Page.

In addition to the EPA regulatory information provided via the Internet, the majority of state regulatory agencies have created web sites to provide information in a low-cost and efficient manner. Examples of information provide by these sites include proposed rules and regulations; final rules and regulations; agency organization; programs and projects; application forms and instructions; and enforcement-related activities. Examples of state environmental agency web sites include the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Additional examples of current and future activities to expand web site usage by state agencies includes posting of final permits; access to pollution prevention plans; company performance with regulatory requirements; and allowing the transfer of data related to monitoring and reporting.

Such resources enhance a company's position as an active participant in meeting regulatory requirements. In addition, this information could provide the catalyst for shaping the approach and results of future EMS components implemented by the company.

Environmental management resources

In addition to being an excellent resource for regulatory information, the Internet also has a significant number of web sites that offer assistance and information to enhance a company's environmental management system. Federal and state regulatory agencies over the last five years have begun to redirect their environmental programs from enforcement-driven "command-and-control" models to programs that encourage self-auditing and reporting based on an effective environmental management system.

The system is comprised of various elements aimed at minimizing the risk and impact on the environment as a result of the company's business practices. In order to be successful, the EMS must be integrated into company operations. In addition, federal and state regulatory agencies will need to create an environmental program foundation that awards, recognizes and encourages these efforts.

Today, many entities are directing significant attention toward the development of an effective EMS. The leading environmental management system standards worldwide are those comprising the International Organization of Standardization (ISO) 14000 series. The EPA has begun to recognize and promote the value of implementing an EMS based on the principles of a standard such as ISO 14000. In addition, the EPA is providing an abundant amount of information and resources via the Internet that can assist companies with the development and/or enhancement of their EMS.

Environmental management system information is available from regulatory agencies, trade organizations, and commercial resources on the Worldwide Web (WWW) or other platforms. Examples of such information include: Developing an ISO 14001 EMS.

These examples represent only a fraction of the EMS information that exists. Familiarity with those sites listed above will identify additional sites of interest.

Once the elements of an effective EMS have been established, its success is highly dependent on accessibility to the information, implementation of its elements, accountability of employees responsible for its implementation and an ongoing drive from senior management for continuous improvement. In order to accomplish these critical aspects, communication of the EMS content, data and performance is a necessity.

The Internet or an Intranet are being recognized as the platforms upon which to build and communicate the elements and performance of an EMS. Developing an EMS on a "password-protected" Internet site or the company's Intranet site allows employees worldwide to communicate a variety of environmental-related information such as process performance information, best management practices or innovative pollution prevention techniques.

In addition, the sites could be used to communicate other pertinent information such as:

• Company organization and structure

• Company policies and procedures

• Federal and state regulations

• Remediation system information (maps, monitoring data, etc.)

• E-mail distributions notifying staff of significant regulatory changes

• Facility operations and maintenance data and records

Clearly, the Internet or an Intranet provides a powerful tool for companies to use, but a critical point to keep in mind is that the use of the Internet or an Intranet should not be developed for the single purpose of environmental compliance. It needs to be fully integrated into the company's business and operations (e.g., purchasing, legal, health & safety, maintenance, risk management) to receive the ultimate advantage it provides to an organization.

Copyright © 1998 Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.