Environmental
Performance Recognition:
EPA
Performance Track Program
By Priscilla Halloran, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste
The National Environmental Performance Track
("Performance Track") is the U.S. EPA's leading
voluntary program for recognizing and rewarding outstanding
environmental performance by private and public businesses.
The program is based on the premise that government should
complement existing programs with new tools and strategies
that not only protect people and the environment, but also
capture opportunities for reducing cost and spurring technological
innovation.
Since the program's inception in June 2000, Performance
Track membership has grown and has produced solid results.
Performance Track encourages participation by small, medium
and large businesses and its members are located throughout
the United States, including Puerto Rico. Furthermore, all
of the major industries are represented, with manufacturers
of chemical, electronic and electrical, and medical equipment
composing nearly 40 percent of the members. Many CMS providers
and their customers are currently Performance Track members,
including Dana Corporation, Henkel Corporation, PPG Industries,
Raytheon Corporation, Rockwell Collins, and Lockheed Martin.
The Performance Track program offers numerous benefits to
its participants, including:
- Recognition
Performance Track status ensures national and local media
coverage, member events and awards ceremonies, photo opportunities
with senior EPA officials, and use of the Performance
Track logo.
- Regulatory
Flexibility
Participating Performance Track facilities implement environmental
management systems (EMSs) that require periodic EMS and
compliance audits as well as an annual certification of
compliance. In recognition of these and other program
elements, facilities in Performance Track are considered
to be a low priority for routine inspections. Additionally,
Performance Track facilities are eligible for an extension
of hazardous waste accumulation to 180 days.
-
Networking
EPA hosts an annual members event, regional roundtables
and a mentoring program, among other initiatives. These
activities provide a learning network where best practices
can be shared.
- Regulatory
Incentives
The
EPA is currently developing regulatory and administrative
actions that only apply to Performance Track participants.
For more information on these pending programs, click
here.
In addition, the program encourages continuous environmental
improvement through the use of environmental management
systems and fosters public outreach, community involvement,
and performance measurement.
The
standard criteria for businesses applying to Performance
Track include:
-
Environmental Management System in place for at least
one full cycle that has been assessed by an independent
party
-
History of sustained compliance
- Past
environmental achievement and commitment to continuous
environmental improvement
- Community
outreach
These
criteria are modified for smaller businesses. Because CMS
is a best management model, many companies promoting or
implementing CMS may already be eligible for Performance
Track status.
For
more information about Performance Track, go to their website
at http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/index.htm.
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