Auditing & Environmental Management Systems
MD has significant experience developing and implementing compliance programs, including environmental management systems (“EMSs”) and environmental auditing.
EMSs help clients evaluate and organize their environmental initiatives for the purposes of documenting compliance, tracking improvement, and improving internal coordination and accountability. Information can also be used to communicate with stakeholders in annual reports, prepare government reports and disclosures, apply for environmental excellence recognition, and develop a public relations narrative. We frequently work with clients that utilize the ISO 14001 standard. Having an EMS and auditing program in place may afford entities the opportunity to take advantage of voluntary self-disclosures under US EPA’s Audit Policy and provides a mechanism for evaluating and integrating newly acquired facilities.
To ensure programs are working as intended and company objectives and compliance requirements are being met, our attorneys participate in and conduct audits, evaluate findings and deficiencies, craft legal and factual responses, and develop goals and recommendations to improve compliance and overall EMS performance.
We also counsel clients on federal and state voluntary disclosure policies, reporting and notification requirements, and develop strategies to reduce potential liability and advance organizational goals. In many instances, our work involves monitoring the environmental compliance tasks for clients that operate numerous manufacturing facilities across the country and the globe.