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Performance Track Assistance
Resource Center Links
Performance Track Assistance
Environmental Improvement Categories
Environmental Management Systems
There are several helpful programs that offer technical assistance and timely information to facilities interested in qualifying for Performance Track:
- States: Review various performance-based programs that support and recognize environmental management efforts currently underway in the states.
- Sectors: Investigate agency and trade association programs that help facilities raise their environmental performance
- Mentors: Learn how Performance Track members assist current and prospective members and share best practices.
Additional Assistance Materials: Other EPA programs provide basic "self-help" information for those facilities that want to meet the Performance Track criteria. The following websites provide various tools and resources for environmental managers:
- Performance Track Resource Center
- U.S. EPA Environmental Management Systems website
-
National
Directory of EMS Technical Assistance
Providers
State Programs
A number of states offer support in various ways
including facility mentoring, technical assistance,
and other inputs and guidance for facilities
interested in developing or initiating
implementation of an environmental management
system (EMS). These programs provide an "on ramp"
to more comprehensive state and federal voluntary
programs that seek to promote top environmental
performance. Many of the aforementioned state
programs are listed on the
National
Directory of EMS Technical Assistance Providers
.
In addition, a number of states are leading the way in offering “on ramp” opportunities for qualified facilities. See the comparison tools page for documents comparing selected state performance-based programs with Performance Track. These documents also provide contact information for the state programs, including links to their websites where available.
"On Ramp" Programs for Individual Industry Sectors
Performance Track understands that facilities have specific constraints and requirements that vary by industry sector. EPA endeavors to ease facility entry into Performance Track by providing technical assistance on a sector-by-sector basis, focusing available resources to more efficiently reach eligible facilities with similar operations, processes, or practices. Performance Track also works with various sector leaders and organizations, utilizing various communication channels for disseminating timely information within individual sectors. Brief descriptions of a handful of EPA programs that provide excellent "on ramp" opportunities for qualified facilities are provided below.
- The Sector Strategies Program promotes the development Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) and assists external trade groups in advocating their use. Present sectors participating in this EPA program include Agribusiness, Cement Manufacturing, Colleges & Universities, Construction, Forest Products, Iron & Steel Manufacturing, Metal Casting, Metal Finishing, Paint & Coatings, Ports, Shipbuilding & Ship Repair, and Specialty-Batch Chemical Manufacturing. Facilities may also gain assistance by working with trade organizations that promote EMS use and exploring creative ways to measure and report performance.
- Design for the Environment (DfE) partnerships inform businesses in the design or redesign of products and processes that are cleaner, more cost-effective, and safer for workers and the public. The DfE process promotes voluntary environmental improvements and provides expertise that can assist facilities seeking to incorporate environmental considerations into business decisions. DfE has developed programs with a number of industries, including Printing & Graphics, Automobile Refinishing, Industrial & Institutional Laundries, Garment and Textile Care, and Printed Wire Board Manufacturing.
- Sector-Based Compliance Assistance: EPA has taken an industry sector orientation for its compliance assistance. For example, the Industry Sector Compliance Notebooks are plain language booklets that describe environmental problems associated with major U.S. industries. OECA also manages Compliance Assistance Centers that provide comprehensive, easy to understand compliance information for specific sectors such as Metal Finishing, Automotive, Chemical, Printing and Graphics, Paint and Coatings, and Agriculture.
- The Small Business Ombudsman also provides technical assistance, an information hotline, various publications, and a forum for policy and practitioner dialogue involving small businesses in many different industry sectors.
- Various trade associations have environmental
performance programs that encourage their members
to meet sector goals as well as recognize them
for going beyond compliance. A few of these trade
associations have made modifications to their
existing programs to help interested members
qualify for Performance Track. A representative
sampling of these programs include the following:
American Chemistry Council
National Paint & Coatings Association
National Sand, Stone, and Gravel Association
Please send additions or corrections to Contact Us.
Performance Track Mentoring Program
A current Performance Track member can mentor prospective members interested in learning about and applying to EPA's most comprehensive voluntary program. Whether you are interested in a simple phone call or a working relationship with a current member, our Mentoring Program can get you on the right track and steer you toward top environmental performance.
The Mentoring Program matches potential and current Performance Track members with top performing facilities currently in the program. Once the necessary arrangements have been made, a mentor can provide a member's perspective of the Performance Track program as well as guide the mentee in setting performance goals and setting appropriate performance measurements that can be easily transferred to the Performance Track application.
If you would like more information, visit Performance Track Mentoring Program or contact Michael Kane at kane.michael@epa.gov.