790 Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Glossary

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A

• Administrative Controls. Procedures and policies implemented to reduce risk by modifying behavior through training, scheduling, and protocols rather than physically removing the hazard.
• Air Pollutants. Substances in the air that can harm human health or the environment, regulated under the Clean Air Act, including carbon monoxide, lead, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide.
• Angle Grinder. A handheld power tool used for grinding, cutting, and polishing materials such as metal, stone, and concrete.
• Aspect. An element of an organization's activities, products, or services that can interact with the environment. Environmental aspects can cause environmental impacts.
• Assessment. A systematic process used by EMS providers to evaluate a patient's condition, identify injuries or illnesses, and determine the appropriate course of treatment or transport.
• Audit. A systematic, independent, and documented process for obtaining objective evidence and evaluating it to determine the extent to which the environmental management system criteria are fulfilled.
• Audit Findings. Results of an evaluation during an EMS audit that provide evidence of conformity or nonconformity with defined criteria. Audit findings are essential inputs for continual improvement.

B

• Baseline. A starting point used for comparisons over time to measure environmental performance and track continual improvement. Baselines are established using initial performance data.
• Baseline Assessment. The initial evaluation of a patient's vital signs and condition, used to establish a reference point for monitoring changes over time during care and transport.
• Best Management Practices (BMPs). Techniques or controls used to prevent or reduce the pollution of water, air, and other environmental resources, commonly associated with the Clean Water Act and stormwater management.

C

• Check (PDCA). The third phase in the PDCA cycle where performance is measured, monitored, and evaluated to determine whether objectives and targets are being met. This phase includes internal audits and management reviews.
• Clean Air Act (CAA). A comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to protect public health and the environment from air pollution.
• Clean Water Act (CWA). A federal law that establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters and regulating quality standards for surface waters.
• Compliance Obligation. Legal requirements and other requirements an organization must or chooses to comply with, related to its environmental aspects.
• Context of the Organization. The process of understanding internal and external issues that can affect an organization's ability to achieve the intended outcomes of its Environmental Management System (EMS). This includes identifying interested parties and their needs, determining relevant environmental conditions, and aligning the EMS with the strategic direction of the organization. Establishing context ensures that risks, opportunities, and compliance obligations are addressed effectively.
• Continual Improvement. A recurring process of enhancing the environmental management system to achieve improvements in overall environmental performance in line with the organization's policy and objectives.
• Corrective Action. Action taken to eliminate the root cause of a detected nonconformity to prevent its recurrence. It is a key element in the "Act" phase of the PDCA cycle.
• Corrective Action Plan (CAP). A structured plan developed to address nonconformities and ensure corrective actions are implemented effectively to prevent recurrence, particularly in compliance with EPA and EMS standards.

D

• Data Analysis. The process of collecting, interpreting, and using data to assess environmental performance, identify trends, and support continual improvement in the EMS.
• Discharge Monitoring Report (DMR). A report required under the Clean Water Act to document pollutant levels in wastewater discharges and demonstrate compliance with permit limits.
• Do (PDCA). The second phase in the PDCA cycle where plans are implemented, and environmental programs are executed according to defined objectives and controls. This phase puts the EMS into action.

E

• Engineering Controls. Physical changes to processes, equipment, or the workplace that reduce or eliminate exposure to hazards, such as ventilation systems or machine guards.
• Environmental Impact. Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an organization's environmental aspects.
• Environmental Management System (EMS). A set of processes and practices that enable an organization to reduce its environmental impacts and increase its operating efficiency.
• Environmental Objective. A specific result an organization intends to achieve related to its environmental goals, consistent with its environmental policy.
• Environmental Performance Indicator (EPI). A specific metric used to evaluate environmental performance. EPIs help track progress toward environmental objectives and support continual improvement.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing environmental laws, developing regulations, conducting environmental research, and ensuring compliance with acts such as RCRA, CAA, and CWA.
• Exposure Assessment. The process of estimating or measuring the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure to an environmental hazard.

F

• Facility. A location or building where operations are conducted and where environmental aspects and impacts are evaluated and managed. Facilities are often subject to environmental permits and compliance requirements.
• Fenceline Monitoring. The use of sensors or equipment to detect air pollutants or other emissions at the boundary of a facility to ensure compliance with environmental standards and to protect nearby communities.
• Finding. A result from an audit or inspection, which may indicate a conformity, nonconformity, or opportunity for improvement within the EMS.

G

• Gap Analysis. An assessment that identifies the differences between current performance and desired outcomes or standards. It helps organizations develop improvement plans within the EMS.

H

• Hazard. A source or situation with a potential to cause injury, illness, or environmental damage.
• Hazard Identification. The process of recognizing and describing hazards that could potentially cause harm to people or the environment, forming a foundation for risk assessment and control strategies.
• Hazardous Waste. Waste material that is dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment, regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
• Hierarchy of Controls. A system used to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards, ranked from most effective to least effective: Elimination, Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

I

• Incident. An occurrence arising out of work that could or does result in injury, illness, or damage to the environment or property.
• Initial Environmental Review (IER). A preliminary assessment conducted to identify an organization's current environmental aspects, legal obligations, and performance before implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS). The IER helps establish a baseline for setting objectives and targets.
• ISO (International Organization for Standardization). An independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes international standards across various industries, including environmental and safety management.
• ISO 14001:2025. An upcoming revision of the internationally accepted standard that outlines the criteria for an effective environmental management system (EMS), emphasizing leadership, life-cycle thinking, and continual improvement. The revision enhances climate action, risk management, and digital tools in environmental management. It also expands the scope of supply chain sustainability, integrates a life cycle perspective, and strengthens reporting requirements, ensuring alignment with global sustainability goals.

J

• Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). A technique that focuses on job tasks to identify hazards before they occur, analyzing the relationships between the worker, the task, the tools, and the work environment.

K

• Key Performance Indicator (KPI). A quantifiable measure that reflects the critical success factors of an organization, often used within EMS to monitor progress toward continual improvement goals.

L

• Lagging Indicator. A performance measurement that reflects past outcomes, such as number of spills or permit violations. Used to assess how well the EMS has performed.
• Leading Indicator. A proactive measurement used to predict and prevent environmental or safety incidents, such as training completion rates or audit frequency.
• Life Cycle Perspective. A consideration of the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its entire life cycle — from raw material extraction to disposal — as required by ISO 14001:2025.

M

• Management Review. A formal, periodic evaluation by top management of the EMS's performance and effectiveness to ensure its continuing suitability, adequacy, and alignment with continual improvement objectives.
• Monitoring and Measurement. Processes used to evaluate environmental performance and the effectiveness of the EMS through data collection and analysis.

N

• NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health). A U.S. federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses.
• Nonconformity. A deviation from a requirement in the EMS or applicable compliance obligations.

O

• Objective Evidence. Verifiable information, such as records or observations, used to support audit findings and evaluate compliance with EMS requirements. It is fundamental to the Check phase in PDCA.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A U.S. federal agency under the Department of Labor that sets and enforces standards to ensure safe and healthy working conditions.
• Opportunities for Improvement (OFI). Identified areas in the EMS that do not constitute nonconformities but could be enhanced to improve overall system performance. These are commonly reported during audits or reviews.

P

• Performance Benchmarking. The process of comparing an organization's environmental performance against industry best practices or internal standards to identify areas for improvement.
• Performance Evaluation. The process of assessing environmental performance and the effectiveness of the environmental management system through internal audits and reviews.
• Permit Compliance System (PCS). An EPA database used to track information about the discharge of pollutants into waters, associated with the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES).
• Permit Limit Violation. A noncompliance event in which a facility exceeds an environmental permit's allowable threshold, often requiring reporting to regulatory agencies and corrective action.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious injuries or illnesses, such as gloves, goggles, respirators, and protective clothing. PPE is the least effective control in the hierarchy of controls.
• Plan (PDCA). The first phase of the PDCA cycle in which an organization establishes environmental objectives, identifies risks and opportunities, and develops action plans to achieve desired outcomes.
• Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA). A four-step management method used in business for the control and continuous improvement of processes and products, integral to ISO 14001 implementation.
• Pollution Prevention (P2). Practices that reduce or eliminate the creation of pollutants through increased efficiency and conservation of raw materials, energy, water, or other resources.
• Preventive Action. Proactive steps taken to eliminate the causes of potential nonconformities before they occur, forming part of the "Act" phase in the PDCA cycle and driving continual improvement.
• Preventive Maintenance. Scheduled maintenance activities aimed at preventing equipment failure or environmental releases, thereby supporting compliance and continual improvement goals.
• Process Improvement. A systematic approach to enhancing EMS processes to achieve better environmental outcomes, efficiency, and effectiveness over time.

Q

• Qualified Personnel. Individuals who have been trained, certified, or otherwise deemed competent to perform specific environmental, health, or safety duties in accordance with regulatory or organizational standards.
• Quality Management System (QMS). A structured system of procedures and processes for ensuring consistent quality in products and services, often integrated with an EMS for organizations certified to ISO standards.

R

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). A federal law that governs the management and disposal of solid and hazardous waste to protect human health and the environment. It includes cradle-to-grave tracking of hazardous waste.
• Risk. The combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of a hazardous event or exposure(s) and the severity of injury or ill health or environmental impact that can be caused by the event or exposure(s).
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA). A method used to identify the fundamental cause of a nonconformity or problem, enabling the implementation of effective corrective actions in the EMS.

S

• Significant Environmental Aspect. An environmental aspect that has or can have a significant environmental impact, determined through risk or impact evaluation.
• SMART Objectives. Goals within the environmental management system that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, ensuring clarity and trackability for continual improvement efforts.
• Source Reduction. Any practice that reduces the amount of hazardous substances entering waste streams or the environment, a key focus under both RCRA and pollution prevention strategies.
• Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan. A regulation enforced by the EPA requiring facilities to prepare, amend, and implement spill prevention and response plans for oil discharges into navigable waters or shorelines.
• Stakeholder. Any individual or group that can affect or is affected by an organization's environmental performance, including regulators, customers, and the public.
• Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). A site-specific plan required by the EPA and CWA to identify potential sources of stormwater pollution and describe practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges.
• Sustainability. Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, integrating environmental, social, and economic considerations.

T

• Target (Environmental). A detailed, measurable performance requirement derived from an environmental objective that an organization sets and must achieve within a defined timeframe. Often aligns with SMART criteria.
• Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility (TSDF). A site specifically permitted to treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste under RCRA regulations, subject to strict environmental and safety standards.
• Trend Analysis. The examination of performance data over time to detect patterns that can inform decision-making and drive continual improvement in the EMS.

U

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A major component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for protecting public health through disease control and prevention, often collaborating with OSHA and NIOSH on occupational health standards.

V

• Verification. The process of confirming through objective evidence that specified requirements have been fulfilled, such as confirming EMS implementation during an internal audit.
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Organic chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature and can contribute to air pollution and health risks. VOCs are regulated under the Clean Air Act.

W

• Waste Minimization. A strategic approach to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste generated by a process, supporting both environmental compliance and pollution prevention objectives.
• Water Quality Standards. Legally enforceable criteria under the Clean Water Act that define the acceptable concentration of pollutants in water to protect human health and aquatic life.
• Work Instruction. A detailed, task-specific document within an EMS or QMS that outlines how to perform a process or activity safely and in compliance with environmental regulations.

X

• Xylene. A volatile organic solvent commonly used in industrial processes, known for its potential health effects and subject to reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

Y

• Yield Loss. A term used in manufacturing and resource efficiency, referring to material that is wasted or lost during production, which could become a focus for EMS waste reduction initiatives.

Z

• Zero Discharge. A goal or policy aimed at eliminating the release of pollutants into the environment, often applied to wastewater or hazardous waste programs in environmentally sensitive areas.