Environmental Management
Overview
Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. frequently assists clients with developing, evaluating, and improving their environmental management systems (EMSs), including the policies, strategies, procedures and organizational structures needed to meet our clients’ environmental objectives. Such work is often conducted voluntarily, to avoid significant liabilities and reputation problems, ensure environmental compliance, minimize management costs and secure competitive advantage. In other cases, government agencies like EPA require our clients to re-tool their EMSs in connection with environmental enforcement proceedings.
Our experience ranges from full-scale worldwide assessments of corporate environmental management systems, to development of compliance programs, to assistance with individual components of an EMS (such as audit programs). The Firm assists clients on legal issues related to facility or company-wide registration to the ISO 14001 standard and compliance with the European Union's voluntary Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Based on our experience we have developed our own proprietary tools to assist our clients with EMS issues.
Full Description
Throughout the world, government policy and the marketplace are increasingly focusing attention on the process for achieving and maintaining good environmental performance. Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. frequently assists its clients with developing, evaluating, and improving their environmental management programs and practices.
Many companies are reviewing the adequacy of their environmental management systems (EMSs), including the policies, strategies, procedures, and organizational structures needed to meet their objectives. Such reviews are often conducted voluntarily, to avoid significant liabilities and reputation problems, ensure environmental compliance, minimize management costs and secure competitive advantage. In other cases, government agencies like EPA require companies to evaluate and improve their EMSs in connection with environmental enforcement proceedings.
Our experience ranges from full-scale worldwide assessments of corporate environmental management systems and performance, to development of compliance programs, to assistance with individual components of an EMS (such as audit programs). The Firm assists clients on legal issues related to facility or company-wide registration to the ISO 14001 standard and compliance with the European Union's voluntary Eco Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). We also assist clients who strive to be the environmental leaders in their industry sector, identifying opportunities for enhanced environmental performance and the business advantages that flow from a leadership position.
We have developed our own detailed "matrix" of the components of a model environmental management program, drawing from various international and industry guidelines, and have used this tool in the evaluation of environmental systems and the development of corporate EMS standards. Beveridge & Diamond draws upon its resources to assemble a team for each particular project with the ideal mix of backgrounds, such as knowledge of international or host country requirements, relevant technical background, civil and criminal enforcement experience and management system expertise.
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For a large consumer products company, we provided extensive support to senior management in the creation and implementation of a corporate environmental and health & safety organization, the creation of an independent and effective audit program and the identification and resolution of short-term liability risks during the implementation of the company’s new EMS procedures.
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On behalf of a Fortune 50 company with subsidiaries manufacturing a variety of consumer goods, we conducted a detailed evaluation of their environmental management programs worldwide. Our assessment encompassed over 130 facilities located in nearly 50 countries. We provided detailed findings and recommendations covering activities at the parent and subsidiary levels, including regional environmental management structures, and helped the company implement the recommendations.
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We reviewed and evaluated both the environmental management program and the compliance status of a company engaged in the manufacture and distribution of cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. The evaluation encompassed each of the company's manufacturing and distribution facilities. Our report to management as a result of this review suggested improvements to the environmental management program and identified possible compliance issues at individual facilities.
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For a major independent power producer, we structured a comprehensive compliance program for its large cogeneration facilities. This work included the development of detailed compliance manuals.
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For a Fortune 100 consumer products company, we provided legal input to a draft environmental management manual and written advice on various issues such as the timing and methods of updating the manual, whether and how to keep environmental audit reports confidential, and how the manual and audit program would be evaluated under the federal sentencing guidelines.
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We assisted a major container manufacturer in the evaluation and enhancement of its environmental management systems, including improvements to its environmental compliance auditing program.
Environmental
Land Use
Litigation
Pro Bono
- Robert Brager
(Baltimore) - Holly Cannon
(Washington) - Stephen L. Gordon
(New York) - Laura L. LaValle
(Austin) - Christopher J. McKenzie
(New York) - Stephen M. Richmond
(Boston)