Solicitation to Participate in the EMS Work Group at Solutia
Indian OrchardSpringfield, Massachusetts
Host facility is Solutia
During the past four years, we have facilitated interactive work groups for industry peers developing and implementing Environmental Management Systems (EMS). This program has been extremely successful, helping industries from all sectors and all sizes develop site-specific and highly effective EMS.The Solutia EMS Background and Work Group Description
Solutia began the development of its own EMS over 15 years ago in order to better manage its environmental impact and obligations. As a supplier to the automobile industry, Solutia has received inquiries regarding its EMS and has decided to upgrade its existing EMS to comply with the international standard, ISO 14001.
Deadline for response is Monday December 15. The fee for participation is $150 for Massachusetts facilities, and $300 for out of state facilities.The work group will be valuable to facilities beginning an EMS project or improving an existing system. It is limited to ten participating companies and will meet approximately six to eight times over the course of the year. Each meeting will include EMS training and a discussion of the steps that the host has taken to implement a section of their EMS. Work group members will then brainstorm issues relating to their own implementation efforts. This year’s host facility’s focus on their market’s preferences will be an additional theme. Group discussions are dynamic, thought provoking and highly informative. Members will be asked each month to complete useful assignments between meetings, and to briefly present their own work to the group. This will encourage momentum and improve the value of feedback on their individual approaches.
“I find myself with a list of things I want to do after I attend each meeting.
This is a very helpful forum for a company creating an EMS for the first
time.” Linda Markarian, Manager, Safety Health and Environment,Avecia Biotechnology, Inc.
Please move quickly to get the support you need to get into this work group.
Participate in a Work Group to:
- Experience the challenges and benefits of EMS development and implementation first hand;
- Network with industry leaders and peers;
- Learn tools that can improve the quality or efficacy of your EMS, and be challenged to apply these tools to your own facility;
- Gain access to information on new methods and technologies;
- Informally benchmark your process for future demonstrations of success; and
- Obtain clear upper management support for your efforts.
Upper management support
Upper management support is a key issue for successful EMS development and implementation at any organization. In order to have a dynamic and effective work group, we are requiring that any company interested in participating in this work group provide a letter of support from a company executive. This executive must be a management leader who is able to provide management support for the establishment and implementation of an EMS.
The letter of support from upper management should:
- Indicate the company’s commitment to participation in the project, including supporting thecompany representative’s time and resources to the project, as well as the company’s interest in implementing an EMS,
- Indicate planned schedule for EMS development and implementation at the facility, and
- Delineate management responsibility for the project.
Due to the limited space available for this project, please submit the following application form as soon as possible. Please feel free to call me at 978-934-3346, or contact me via email if you have any questions regarding this program. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Janet Clark
Associate Director
Work Group 2005 Manager
978-934-3346