Environmental regulatory compliance
Ensuring environmental regulatory compliance not only meets legal obligations, but also reinforces the company’s image as anenvironmentally responsible player. We would like to offer a few thoughts on our approach to the following points
- how to manage environmental regulatory compliance at your site(s),
- take advantage of the benefits of using a digital tool for regulatory monitoring and compliance
- and assert a responsible corporate image without greenwashing.
1. Appoint a dedicated HSE manager or outsource the function
The first step is to designate a competent person responsible for ensuring the collection and updating of applicable texts, and finally for environmental regulatory compliance. He or she must also have the resources required for the job: adequate training, the necessary time, and tools for monitoring and documenting environmental regulations.
2. Know and understand environmental regulations
To apply environmental regulations as effectively as possible, we need to collect all the regulatory texts concerning the environment at regional, national and European level. Then we assess the applicable laws and regulations, i.e. those relevant to the sector of activity and geographical location.
Finally, more specific requirements will need to be analyzed and implemented, for example in the following areas: air quality, waste management, discharges, use of chemicals, storage, etc.
A good understanding of environmental regulations takes into account ICPE classification, as well as all the specifics of the business and site (including buildings, equipment and products used), to create a customized HSE regulatory monitoring solution for the company.
3. Carry out a conformity assessment
Once the environmental regulations have been identified, a compliance audit is carried out. Thanks in particular to our expertise in regulations and our web application, we have the experience to support companies in this task, and we provide an instant view of compliance with environmental regulatory requirements. Following this audit, we identify gaps in compliance and areas for improvement.
4. Make your site environmentally compliant
After the conformity assessment, companies must do everything in their power to make their site compliant. This may involve drawing up clear strategic objectives, with detailed policies and procedures in line with the company’s commitments. Above all, they will begin to set up compliance action plans, supervised by action plan managers, with deadlines, and ensure that they are monitored.
5. Manage compliance with a web-based application to automate monitoring and compliance
Investing in an automated regulatory monitoring tool makes life much easier for companies and HSE managers. They can monitor compliance in real time, and generate automated reports for superiors and teams to show progress and indicators of work carried out.
The benefits of an environmental regulatory watch and compliance web app
- offers rigor in global corporate strategies, especially CSR
- meets the requirements of ISO 14001
- facilitates ISO 14001 certification or renewal audits. In fact, International Standards such as ISO 14001 impose the same obligations as the law, and sometimes go even further in their requirements. Using an effective regulatory monitoring and compliance tool facilitates preparation and builds auditor confidence.
- enables you to anticipate any regulatory changes in order to prepare for certification renewal or a compliance audit
- helps you stay competitive in the market and strengthen your brand image
- reduces environmental risks
In conclusion
Ensuring a site’s environmental regulatory compliance is essential, not only to meet legal obligations but also to reinforce its image as a responsible company.
Having a solid environmental policy and using a tool to automate monitoring and regulatory compliance are the 2 pillars that will ensure an effective approach to managing compliance, reducing risk and simplifying processes.
By acting in an environmentally responsible way, companies earn the trust of their customers, suppliers, business partners and the community, while helping to preserve the environment for future generations.
The same services and tools are available in the fields of Occupational Health & Safety, Transport, Energy, Security, etc., in some thirty countries.