NPPR Co-hosts Meeting with PINFA

February 9, 2015

The Pinfa “Meeting Flammability Requirements for Commercial Buildings and Construction” conference co-sponsored by the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) brings together plastic formulators, polymer producers, flame retardant manufacturers, construction material OEMs, component manufacturers, as well as government and non-governmental organizations to discuss fire safety and environmental topics critical to the commercial building and construction industries. In this one and a half day program, attendees will be able to listen and contribute to panel discussions from industry participants and decision makers involved in the advancement of the commercial building and construction safety needs. When: April 15-16, 2015 Time: 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm on April 15th and 8:30 am – 5:30 pm on April 16th Where: Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 N Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor, FL 34695 Register at: www.pinfa-na.org

Written by NPPR · Filed Under News |

Green Chemistry Guide

February 9, 2015

Guide This manual provides state agencies and technical assistance providers with tools and resources to better serve their clients who are looking for information and to support greening their operations, supply chains, processes, and products.

Written by NPPR · Filed Under News |

Implementing the New Environmental Management System with its Risk-Based Thinking

January 31, 2015

February 25, 2015 2 PM EDT

This fall we will be introduced to the completely renovated ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system – the one with that “risk-based thinking.” The new approach to environmental management will facilitate the move from compliance and process improvement to a new focus on meeting organizational objectives over the long term (sounds a little like “sustainability”). The international standard on risk management (ISO 31000) defines risk as the “effect of uncertainty on objectives.” In plain English this means that organizations should focus on meeting their objectives as it operates in an uncertain world. This “uncertainty” creates negative effects (threats) and positive effects (opportunities). Those of us working in P2 and energy conservation (P2E2) will continue to contribute to this risk-based thinking by developing the “opportunities” that can help offset the threats. This will help an organization meet its objectives. The focus is on meeting organizational objectives – not on conserving energy and reducing waste. Think more about how the organizations you deal with can use your services to help them meet the overarching objectives often stated in the mission statement.

There are eleven principles of risk management that help organizations create a great environmental MANAGEMENT system. You can take a look at these principles on the website:
http://www.praxiom.com/iso-31000.htm This website is called “Risk Management in Plain English.” There is also a framework and a process for risk management that is now embedded in the new ISO 14001:2015. Stakeholders, governance, environmental aspects, employees, operations, performance measurement and continual improvement continue to have a strong presence in the new standard. But the focus will be on the minimizing the threats and developing the opportunities that help the organization meet its objectives. P2E2 must create value, be part of ALL processes (no more silos), and be part of how decisions are made at all levels in the organization. This will take a little getting used to!

Who should pay attention to this new world of ISO management system standards? If a facility is part of a publicly traded company, this new approach will help the environmental, health and safety manager participate in the company’s enterprise risk management system (Sarbanes Oxley Section 404). Small and medium-sized companies are often tied to their customers through supplier codes of conduct that now contain risk-based thinking. There’s no escape. Everyone in operations (activities, products and services) should be interested in this topic. People involved in P2E2 and management system standards (quality, health & safety, assets management, information security, environment, business continuity, and ethical trading initiatives) will also find this webinar helpful since all of these management systems are now on the same high level numbering system. We guarantee that the topic will not be “risky” since we will be focused on the opportunities. We will also have a little fun along the way.

Robert B. Pojasek, Ph.D.
Principal Analyst
Verdantix, Inc.

Dr. Pojasek is a market analyst who covers developments in the areas of environmental, health and safety as well as sustainability. Verdantix is an independent analyst firm that provides authoritative data, analysis and advice to help clients succeed with their energy, EH&S and sustainability strategies. Bob is an internationally recognized expert in sustainability and risk management. He has worked with a diverse range of clients in the manufacturing and services sectors both at the corporate and facility level in 25 countries.

Dr. Pojasek has been awarded the “Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Award” by the National
Pollution Prevention Roundtable and recognition for “Outstanding Dedication to Pollution
Prevention” by the Canadian Pollution Prevention Roundtable. He served as the Chairman of the
(former) American Institute for Pollution Prevention.

He has published more than 100 papers. His book, “Making the Business Case for EHS,” was
recognized by APEX as the best “how to” book published in 2005. Dr. Pojasek and Cam
Metcalf authored the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) publication, “An
Organizational Guide to Pollution Prevention.” Dr. Pojasek has served on the Science
Advisory Boards of the US EPA and the US Air Force. Dr. Pojasek has held leadership and Board positions in a number of professional associations.

Dr. Pojasek is an Adjunct Faculty Lecturer at Harvard University Extension School where he
teaches a popular distance-learning course, “Strategies for Sustainability Management.”
http://isites.harvard.edu/k107383 Dr. Pojasek was recognized for his distinguished service to his students by receiving the Petra T. Shattuck Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Pojasek received his Ph.D from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his B.S. from Rutgers University.

Recording

Written by NPPR · Filed Under News |