After an environmental assessment is performed, an Environmental Policy can be established. This process is also known as an Environmental Management System (EMS). As mentioned previously, sometimes the Environmental Policy or EMS is actually established first and the assessment is part of the plan. This policy or plan is an important way to set goals and establish action plans. All members of the laboratory team and management need to act as partners in adopting and implementing the plan.
The policy or plan should:
- Define the goal or scope of the plan. Is the objective or goal to address all aspects of the environmental assessment or choose one to focus on first?
- Indicate a target as far as the amount of reduction. For instance, reducing the amount of energy consumed by 20% or the quantity of waste by 30%.
Keep in mind that an assessment of the success of the plan will come later, especially if extra costs are involved.
After the environmental policy is completed, an action plan should follow.
