MSWG in General

• What is the Multi-State Working Group (MSWG)?
• Which states are members?
• Are there any non-state members?
• What is the difference between a participating member and an observing member?

Pennsylvania's Pilot Projects

• What does it mean to be a pilot?
• How does this program relate to ISO 14001?
• What are the prerequisites for becoming a pilot?
• Which organizations are currently involved in the pilot project?
• How do I apply to be a pilot?

Benefits to Pilot Organizations

• What types of recognition can I expect to receive through this project?
• Will there be any technical assistance provided to my organization?
• What types of training can I expect to receive through this program?
• Will there be an opportunity to learn from the other pilot organizations?

Data Protocols

• What do the data protocols require me to do?
• What types of data are collected through the data protocols?
• How will the data be used?
• Will the data I submit to the database remain confidential?
• When should data be submitted?
• What if I cannot answer one of the data protocol questions?
• What is baseline data?
• How far back do we need to go for baseline data?
• What if I cannot answer many of the baseline data questions?
• What help can DEP provide in collecting data for the protocols?
• What role does DEP have in submitting the data to the database?

DEP’s Expectations

• What does DEP expect from the pilots?
• What are DEP’s criteria for deciding which companies will become pilots?
• What is the SEM position?
• What does "zero emissions" philosophy mean?
• What does "stakeholder" or "community" involvement mean to DEP?

The Multi-State Working Group on Environmental Management Systems (MSWG) is a group of ten states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and industry representatives that is studying the effect of environmental management systems (EMSs), particularly those based on ISO 14001, on environmental performance. Since its beginning two years ago, MSWG has contracted with the University of North Carolina (UNC) to host and develop a database. Each of the states involved in MSWG is partnering with companies and organizations within their state to create pilot projects. Companies and organizations will submit the data to the states according to the MSWG Data Protocols developed by UNC. The states will gather data generated by their pilots' EMSs and place them into UNC's database where researchers studying a variety of environmental and management issues will have access to it. MSWG is currently working to identify research questions.

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The participating members of MSWG are: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Texas. There are also 26 observer states including: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.   For complete membership information, click here.

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Non-state, participating members of MSWG are: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ashland Chemical Company, Coalition on ISO 14000 Implementation, Community Nutrition Institute, Environmental Law Institute, Iowa Waste Reduction Center, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Pacific Institute, Pillsbury Madison & Sutro LLP, Raychem, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, TECHNE Environmental Consulting, Tulane Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, University of North Carolina, University of South Carolina, and Western Environmental and Business Initiative. Observer, non-state members of MSWG include: CEGAS, MISSTAP, Montana State University, University of Louisville, University of Nevada, Reno, and UTCIS.  For complete membership information, click here.

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Participating members have voting rights; observers do not. For complete membership information, click here.

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What does it mean to be a pilot?

Through Pennsylvania's pilot project program, DEP will partner with pilot organizations that have implemented or are developing an EMS.  Companies involved in the program will receive training, technical assistance and recognition in exchange for supplying data generated by the pilot organization's EMS.  While the pilot company's EMS may be ISO 14001, it is not a requirement.

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The pilot program's primary purpose is to develop research data to study the effect an EMS has on environmental performance.  ISO 14001 is the only internationally recognized EMS standard, and, as such, it has generated the most interest.   DEP is interested in gathering data from ISO 140001 systems, but not pursuing ISO 14001 does not exclude your organization from the program.

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The number one prerequisite for becoming pilot organization is being prepared to design and implement an EMS.  Once this requirement is met, DEP will choose pilot organizations based on their interest or adherence to DEP's Strategic Environmental Management policy.  The agency did issue a statement that outlined factors that could influence the selection process (See Pilot Project Participation Considerations).

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Currently, Klein Plating Works of Erie, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pittsburgh International Airport and World Resources Company of Pottsville are participating.

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Contact Patrick McDonnell at 717-772-5941 or at Patrick McDonnell for information on joining the program.

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BENEFITS TO PILOT ORGANIZATIONS

MSWG is an award winning national project that has garnered international praise. The opportunities for recognition are numerous. For example, DEP will host an initial press kickoff event in Harrisburg for the pilot organizations. In addition, DEP can assist companies in maximizing the public relations advantages the project presents by contacting appropriate trade publications as the pilots progress. DEP also has several programs to recognize pilot organizations and can assist pilots in making presentations across the state and applying for awards, including the Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence.

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DEP has numerous resources available for pilot organizations. By participating in the pilot, organizations gain access to DEP staff with knowledge of media-specific technologies and opportunities for solving environmental problems. These staff are available to conduct a pollution prevention site visit or answer more specific questions. Also, pilot project participants will have access to training sessions on various EMS topics as well as on other environmental concepts. In addition, DEP sponsors the Pennsylvania Environmental Assistance Network, a group of technical assistance providers across the state that can help small- to medium-sized businesses. Businesses with under 100 employees may qualify for the Small Business Pollution Prevention Assistance Account.  Another option is EMAP, that is designed for small businesses and features a cost-free telephone hotline for asking environmental consultants about environmental problems. Any of these may be options for your organization, depending on your needs.

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DEP is committed to bringing experts into the state for training on advanced environmental management principles to help pilot organization maximize their cost savings and environmental performance. Training sessions will take place at least every three months. Proposed topics include environmental accounting, supply chain relationships, life cycle assessments, materials accounting, and community involvement. Any other topics of interest raised by the pilot facilities will also be considered.

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As part of each training session, representatives from each pilot organization will have an opportunity to make a brief presentation on their EMS. This presentation could range from a general update on the EMS implementation or to a discussion on an innovative solution to a difficult environmental problem. DEP will facilitate this process to ensure that members receive as much useful information as is possible about other pilot organizations.

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The only requirement of the pilot projects is the submission of data from the pilot organizations’ EMSs to DEP. This is not to say that every question in the data protocols will be answered. The data protocols are a tool for capturing what your company is doing through its EMS; the protocols are not intended to drive business decisions related to your EMS. If you do not have a business need to capture certain data through your EMS, they can be omitted.

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The data fall into six general categories: the environmental performance of the facility, the environmental conditions around the facility, the organization’s regulatory compliance, the organization’s pollution prevention initiatives, the costs and benefits of initiatives derived from the EMS and the involvement of stakeholders in the EMS process.

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How will the data be used?

The data that is given to DEP will be placed into a national database housed at the University of North Carolina.  This database will be available to academic researchers across the nation upon request.  At no time will your facility's name be linked to the data that you submit.  Every effort will be made to guarantee the confidentiality of the information you provide, but there is no absolute guarantee that the database cannot be reverse engineered to learn your facility's identity.

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Will the data I submit to the database remain confidential?

DEP and the University of North Carolina will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of information you submit.  If you designate particular data as confidential business information, it will not be used.  In addition, the data you submit will not be attached to your facility's name, adding a further protection to the database.  There is no absolute guarantee of confidentiality.  There is the possibility that the data could be "reverse engineered."  Also, requests for normally disclosed information from the public fall under Pennsylvania's Right to Know Act.

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Data is submitted according to the following schedule: baseline data is submitted at the beginning of the pilot project timeline to establish pre-EMS conditions. As the EMS is developed, information about its ongoing design and implementation is submitted. Every six months after the EMS has been implemented, updates should be sent to DEP regarding the performance of the EMS.

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The protocols are intended to capture the decisions you as an organization make regarding your EMS. If you made a decision not capture certain data through your EMS, you are under no obligation to have that data for this project.

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Baseline data is data that identifies conditions existing in your facility before your EMS design began to take place. Typically, pilot organizations that are just beginning to design their EMS use data from the previous three years, and organizations that have already done significant work are treated on a case-by-case basis. DEP does not expect you to have answers to all of the baseline questions, and DEP staff is available to help in the collection of this data.

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It depends on how long you have used an EMS. The data must provide a pre-EMS snapshot of your organization’s operations. Typically, pilot organizations must use data from the previous three years.

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One of the research questions the pilot program is designed to address is the change in how data are tracked. For some organizations, this difference may be profound.  DEP can assist your organization in compiling data related to compliance. The rest of the data will be exactly what your organization tracked at the time (you do not need to develop data that you did not have before). If this is less complete than your EMS data, it is not necessarily a problem.

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DEP can provide your organization with previously reported information related to permits and regulatory compliance. DEP may also be able to offer advice in refining data to be submitted to the database to maintain its consistency.

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DEP is the pilot company’s liasion to the database at the University of North Carolina. DEP will review the data according to the information and guidelines provided by UNC. Once satisfied it is as complete and consistent as possible, DEP will forward it to UNC.

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DEP expects pilots participating in the project to provide to DEP data generated by their EMS, to inform DEP about advantages and disadvantages they find within their EMS and to participate in group discussions about EMSs.  In addition, participants are expected to adopt at least on strategic environmental management principle.

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What are DEP’s criteria for deciding which companies will become pilots?

DEP wishes to partner with companies devoted to one or more of the principles outlined in DEP’s Strategic Environmental Management position paper. These principles include environmental accounting, community involvement programs, life cycle assessments and managing supplier relationships.

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What is the SEM position?

Strategic Environmental Management is the pursuit of the zero emissions goal through ISO 14001 and other environmental management systems, environmental accounting, life cycle assessment, community involvement, supplier relationships, and other concepts.  In 1996, DEP published a position paper supporting SEM.

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What does "zero emissions" philosophy mean?

Having a "zero emissions" philosophy means that you strive for continual environmental improvement, beyond compliance towards eliminating all emissions. Companies adopting this philosophy attempt to eliminate pollution through prevention and source reduction.

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At a minimum, stakeholder or community involvement should meet the needs of your organizations and the requirements of ISO 14001. DEP is very interested in involving the community as much as possible in the design and implementation of an EMS. DEP believes that companies (such as Lucent Technologies in Allentown, PA) that involve local groups will realize significant benefits over those that do not, and, for that reason, the agency is advocating these types of proactive community relationships.