BALTIMORE, MD (August 20, 2007) -- The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland Technology Extension Service (MTES) are offering an intensive Environmental Management System (EMS) Implementation Program for Maryland companies. The course is scheduled to begin September 24, 2007 and there is no cost for participation.

The MDE/MTES program assists manufacturing organizations in implementing environmental management systems based on the international ISO 14001 standard. The program is comprised of workshops followed by specific work assignments and individual meetings with the program facilitator. Program participants will also be offered technical assistance in implementing cost-saving pollution prevention practices and technologies. The implementation phases are designed so that the organization puts the environmental management system in place at a pace that is manageable and that delivers measurable results from the outset.

Environmental management systems help organizations systematically identify, measure and manage their environmental impacts. Among some of the benefits of implementing these systems are improved communications; improved efficiency; reduced costs; and increased consistency of results. The system also helps to overcome barriers to organizational change; increases top management participation and involvement in day-to-day activities; and helps to resolve and prioritize organizational issues.

Thirty-four Maryland manufacturers have participated in the MDE/MTES EMS program. These organizations have reported improvements in their environmental regulatory compliance and competency in addressing overall environmental impacts.

There is no charge for participating in this program. Grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides for all costs of instruction, materials and technical assistance for implementation. Participating organizations are encouraged to send three or more persons to the training workshops and are asked to make a commitment to completing the workshop program.

For more information, call or e-mail Laura Armstrong at 410-537-4119, Laura.Armstrong@maryland.gov, or Paul Gietka at 410-706-3445 pgietka@umd.edu.

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