Manual for Implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction
Defining an EMS
Business Benefits of an EMS
Implementing an EMS
Disclaimer
Contact Information

Chapter 2: Success Stories: Businesses Profiting from EMS

Chapter 3: Creating an EMS (Overview)

Chapter 4: Planning an EMS
Selecting an Environmental Task Group

Establishing Objectives and Targets
- Considerations in Setting Objectives and Targets
- Tip Sheet: Determining Environmental Impacts
- Tip Sheet: Walk-through Considerations

Prioritizing Projects
- Table on Degree of Impact and Period of Occurrence
- Table on Significance of Impacts

Creating an Action Plan and an Action Team
- Creating an Action Plan
- Action Plan Model (sample)
- Tip Sheet: Techniques for Addressing Environmental Problems
- Tip Sheet: Questions for Screening and Searching for Applications
- Tip Sheet: Ways to Reduce Waste

Creating a Prevention and Emergency Plan
- Suggestions for Developing Prevention and Emergency Plans
- Tip Sheet: Ways to Prevent Spills and Leaks

Chapter 5: Implementing the Action Plan
Training Staff
- Selecting Staff for Training
- Considerations in Assessing Employee Training Needs
- Selecting Training Programs and Methods
- Scheduling Training
- Suggestions for Training
- Tip Sheet: Insights into Adult Learning

Communicating EMS Information
- Selecting Internal and External Target Audiences
- Selecting Information to Share
- Suggestions for Communication
- Communication Procedures and Standards
- Ways to Communicate with Staff, the Community and the Government
- Maintaining the Flow of Information

Setting a Budget
- Low-Cost Options with Immediate Payback
- Tip Sheet: Writing the Financial Plan

Chapter 6: Monitoring Progress
Formulating a Measurement System
- Generally Measurable Items
- Data Structure Model
- Environmental Indicators and Concepts to Consider
- Suggestions for Developing and Using Measurement System

Benchmark Technique

Assessing the EMS
- Steps for Assessing the EMS
- Assessment Procedures
- Considerations for the Assessment Team
- Considerations if Results Show Difficulties or Unreached Targets

Chapter 7: Improving Results
Creating and Implementing a New Action Plan
- Elements of the Continual Improvement Process
- Considerations for Creating a New Action Plan

Writing an Environmental Policy
- Considerations for Writing an Environmental Policy
- Points to Address in an Environmental Policy

Chapter 8: Questionnaire for Establishing Priorities for Objectives and Targets
Emissions/Discharge
Energy
Energy Sources/Use
Insurance
Laws and Regulations
Packaging
Process Design/Operation
Paper
Product Design
Raw Materials
Site/Building
Solid and Hazardous Waste
Solid Waste Management
Storage On Site
Transport and Distribution
Waste
Waste Disposal
Water
Water Use/Discharge

Chapter 9: Case Studies
Finding a Mentor to Help Develop an EMS
Process Optimization in Textile Dyeing
Energy Saving in Soap Production
Increased Raw Material Efficiency in Pulp and Paper Production
Water Savings in Sugar Refining

Chapter 10: Sample Forms
Action Plan Form (sample)
Prevention Plan Form (sample)
Emergency Plan Form (sample)
Training Plan Form (sample)
Process Identification Plan Form (sample)
Material Identification Plan Form (sample)
Environmental Policy (sample)

Chapter 11: Resources
Support Sources
Large Companies, Clients or Suppliers Acting as Mentors
Other SMEs
Expert and Local Technical Assistance
Extra Assistance
Consultants
Considerations in Hiring Consultants
Information Sources
Multinational Companies
Environmental Regulatory Agencies
Associations, Customers and Suppliers
The Internet
Support Material