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THE EVOLUTION IN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE
Citation:
Burckle, J O. THE EVOLUTION IN ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE. Presented at 2003 Tube & Pipe Association, Phoenix, AZ, March 17 - 19, 2003.
Impact/Purpose:
To inform the public
Description:
The area of Environmental Compliance Assurance, in my view, is undergoing a rapid evolution of significance to all affected by environmental regulations. It is said that the only societal constant is change, which is at once both an oxymoron and a truth. This statement is certainly true with respect to the changing approach to ensuring compliance with laws protecting the environment. While legislation will continue to set goals for the prevention of pollution of the environment and its renovation, the pathways to ensuring such compliance have been undergoing a metamorphosis that has been underway since the concept of P3, Pollution Prevention Pays, was first institutionalized by 3M as a Standard Operating Procedure in 1975. It has accelerated significantly i the early 1990's with the passage of the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 and by the adoption of the EMS (Environmental Management System) concept by the business community. This change is propelled by the practical considerations introduced into our technically-oriented industrialized society by limitations of trained manpower, growing complexities and funding requirements, availability of knowledge, and the willingness of affected sources to embrace the concept of environmentally responsible operations. It is my purpose to explore here the underlying developments, most importantly the technology driven advancements empowering the transition to achieving voluntary compliance with regulations.