Environmental Management Systems Voluntary Project Evaluation Guidance

Published

February 1, 1998

Author(s)

R M. Stephens, R Andrews, M L. Barton, R Bois, P Burnet, S Clarke, J Connaughton, R Gupta, B Hagman, M Hill, J Horne, J A. Jernigan, K J. Leuteritz, M McKeil, A Neblett, D Owens, L Paddock, J Pendergrass, S Richards, D Ronald, J Smith, J Smoller, J Speir, J Villani, L Wiese, P Wise

Abstract

The MSWG consists of ten states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin as well as other key stakeholders including representatives from U.S. EPA, NIST, University of North Carolina and Tulane University from academe, environmental Law institute from the environmental community and Coalition on ISO 14000 Implementation [C12] from the regulated community. The group created this guidance to provide a framework for the collection of information of value to regulatory agencies and others interested in determining the impact of environmental management systems substantially based on ISO 14001. The collection of data within the guidance is organized into six different categories: Environmental Performance indicators, Environmental Condition Indicators, Environmental Compliance Indicators, Costs and Benefits, Pollution Prevention Indicators and Stakeholder Involvement. The MSWG is now developing a series of more detailed data protocols to guide the actual collection of data at facilities participating in pilot projects. This data will be housed in a common data base that is open and usable, while respecting he need to appropriately insure the confidentiality of participating facilities. Testing the impact of pilot projects on environmental and economic outcomes is key to determining public policies relative to ISO 14001. Notwithstanding the particular needs of each pilot project, the value of the Guidance will result from the design of many pilot projects with many common objectives and measurables. The Evaluation Guidance is a voluntary tool designed to help the organization designing and implementing its ISO 14001 EMS pilot project. As a body of pilot project data is independently compiled over time, all stakeholders, including the federal and state executive and legislative branches will be able to evaluate the efficacy of this environmental, social, and economic goals.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6120

Report Number

6120

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

environmental, evaluation, guidance, management, multi, project, system, voluntary

Citation

Stephens, R. , Andrews, R. , Barton, M. , Bois, R. , Burnet, P. , Clarke, S. , Connaughton, J. , Gupta, R. , Hagman, B. , Hill, M. , Horne, J. , Jernigan, J. , Leuteritz, K. , McKeil, M. , Neblett, A. , Owens, D. , Paddock, L. , Pendergrass, J. , Richards, S. , Ronald, D. , Smith, J. , Smoller, J. , Speir, J. , Villani, J. , Wiese, L. and Wise, P. (1998), Environmental Management Systems Voluntary Project Evaluation Guidance, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 14, 2024)