An environmental management system (EMS) is a set of
processes and practices that organizations use to reduce their
environmental impact. It involves a continual cycle of planning,
implementing, reviewing, and improving processes and actions to
meet both its business and environmental goals.
Clean Texas 
members at the Silver, Gold, or Platinum
levels are required to implement an EMS and have
it verified, on site, by the TCEQ.
Required Key EMS Elements
The organization's environmental management system must
demonstrate the following key elements:
- setting an environmental policy,
- determining significant environmental impacts,
- setting goals for compliance and environmental
performance,
- assigning responsibility,
- implementing and documenting programs,
- evaluating and measuring effectiveness, and
- demonstrating performance.
The EMS should enable the facility to
maintain or enhance compliance, decrease environmental risks, and
promote pollution prevention.
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Verification Visits
In addition to having a good compliance record, the
EMS must be assessed by an independent party.
For Clean Texas members at the Gold or Platinum
levels, a TCEQ
on-site verification visit is required for approval. On a
case-by-case basis, a verification visit may also be required for
members at the Silver level.
During the verification visit, the TCEQ
will evaluate facilities as to whether they are meeting Clean Texas
requirements and working toward:
- reducing their liabilities—for known issues and for
others that may emerge,
- improving their compliance with environmental regulations,
and
- reducing their ongoing impacts on the environment.
Resources
-
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EMS Web page
-
TCEQ
Rule (PDF), help with PDF.
The rules that the TCEQ
makes available on this site as a public service are not a
substitute for the official rules as approved and filed with the
Office of the Secretary of State. See full disclaimer. The TCEQ
assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or
completeness of any information provided on this site. Official
copies of TCEQ
rules may be obtained by e-mailing register@sos.state.tx.us.
Contact Information
Contact the TCEQ by
sending e-mail to ems@tceq.state.tx.us or by
calling 512-239-3100.
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