Maryland Technology Extension Service

Sustainability: ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Implementation Assistance

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland Technology Extension Service (MTES) offer free assistance to Maryland manufacturers in implementing environmental management systems (EMSs) based on the ISO 14001 global standard. Over forty Maryland manufacturers have taken advantage of the program.  The program works with groups of four to five businesses at a time and enrollment is on a first come-first served basis.

Environmental Management Systems

EMSs help organizations systematically identify and manage their regulated as well as unregulated environmental impacts. Over 88,000 organizations worldwide have registered their conformance to ISO 14001, but many more facilities have realized the benefits of implementing an EMS without taking the formal step of registering their company.

Organizations that have implemented EMSs
find that it has helped to:

  • improve their environmental regulatory compliance;
  • resolve and prioritize organizational issues;
  • improve efficiency, reduce environmental costs and liability;
  • increase environmental awareness, involvement, and competency throughout the organization;
  • increase top management’s participation and involvement in environmental management; and
  • improve communication both inside; and outside the organization.
How the Program Works

This six-month program assists manufacturing organizations in implementing an EMS during four one-day workshops, spaced six weeks apart, followed by specific work assignments and supported by field implementation assistance. Program participants will also be offered technical assistance on implementation of cost-saving pollution prevention technologies.  There is no cost for participation.

What Our Participants Say

“We really enjoyed the program.  We particularly liked its interactive nature (i.e., working closely with other organizations), the free exchange of information, and the invaluable technical assistance.”
—Dan Rettig, PerkinElmer Fluid Sciences

" When theopportunity was presented by MDE to receive assistance in developing andimplementing our environmental management system, we enthusiasticallyagreed to participate.  We understand the difficulty and costsassociated with ISO and EMS implementation, compliance and certificationas well as finding a consulting service with proven experience andsuccess.  We have a very high opinion of the University of Maryland, itstechnical competence and experience related to ISO and business andquality excellence, having participated in the University of MarylandPrograms ISO Consortium and U.S. Senate and Maryland Quality Program.” 
— John McNulla, President, Nurad Technologies
           
“Jim Schaarsmith (MTES Facilitator) is a true expert in ISO 14001. His understanding and experience greatly influenced the implementation team on grasping the overall concepts.  His assistance in drafting the detailed procedures needed was invaluable.  I have been to two other workshops on ISO 14001 and Jim gave us insight that was never before clearly presented.”  
—Laura Hartwell, ATK Elkton, LLC

“Even without registration, Airpax TSP is a much stronger, safer and more environmentally friendly organization as a result of all our efforts over the last year. 
—Kenny Smith, Airpax TSP

"This program has been a tremendous help for us.  We're now is a position to prepare a template for our other bottling facilities in 2006 and we couldn't have done it without this program."
—Reggie Prime, Coca-Cola Enterprises

“This is a very well-run program.  The knowledge, experience and willingness of the team to help have been exceptional.”
Kaye Cleghorn, General Dynamics Robotics Systems

Contact Information

For more information, call or e-mail Laura Armstrong at 410-537-4119, larmstrong@mde.state.md.us, or Paul Gietka at 410-706-3445, pgietka@umd.edu.

 

 


The following companies have participated in the in MDE/MTES EMS program:

  • AAI Corp.
  • Airpax TCP
  • ATK Elkton
  • BAI
  • Aerosystems
  • Chemspec
  • Collins and Aikman
  • Cytec Engineered Materials
  • Filtronic Comtek
  • FKI Logistex Crisplant
  • Freedom Electronics Recycling, Inc.
  • General Dynamics
  • Heidtman Steel
  • K&L Microwave
  • Lafarge
  • Locke Insulators
  • Lorch Microwave
  • Mid-Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Inc. (Baltimore and Silver Spring)
  • Modular Components National, Inc.
  • Nurad Technologies, Inc.
  • Perdue 
  • PerkinElmer
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Quantum Photonics, Inc.
  • Rhodia, Inc.
  • Shire US Manufacturing, Inc.
  • Smiths Detection
  • St. Lawrence Cement
  • Standard Register
  • Unilever (Best Foods and Home and Personal Care)     
  • Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (Landover Bus Division)

 

 

 

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