![[logo] US EPA](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081008123559im_/http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Metal Finishing
Metal Finishing Links
Sector Profile
The metal finishing industry is an important part of this country's manufacturing backbone. The industry is composed largely of small businesses, and the services it provides are an essential part of the production of many manufactured durable goods. Metal finishing serves every industry, large and small, from computers, housewares, and pharmaceuticals to the automotive and aerospace industries.
Working with the Industry
EPA has maintained a collaborative working relationship with the metal finishing industry since 1993 through such programs as Sustainable Industries (1993-1995), the Common Sense Initiative (1995-1998), the National Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program (1998-2002), and the Sector Strategies Program (2003 to present). While these programs have had different points of emphasis, they all have shared a common objective: EPA and industry leaders working together to help promote improved environmental performance with reduced regulatory burden for metal finishers.
Actions Supporting Metal Finishers and Improving the Environment
Promoting Environmental Management Systems
An EMS is a continual cycle of planning, implementing, reviewing, and improving the processes and actions that an organization undertakes to meet its business and environmental goals. A growing number of metal finishing companies have turned to EMS to help achieve continual performance improvement. These firms have discovered that by using an EMS to improve the efficiency of their everyday operations, they can:
- Reduce costs;
- Improve regulatory compliance;
- Stay competitive;
- Enhance operational decisions;
- Improve public image; and
- Reduce risk to the environmental and employees
EPA has collaborated with the industry's major trade associations to create several tools to help metal finishers develop EMSs:
- A Guide to Developing an Environmental Management System for Metal Finishing Facilities provides a simple step-by-step process for EMS implementation.
- Business Case for EMS: This brochure highlights the benefits of EMS implementation at metal finishing facilities. Environmental Management Systems: Systematically Improving your Performance was created in partnership with NAMF, AESF, and MFSA.
Performance Measurement
- The performance trends for the metal finishing sector are highlighted in the 2006 Sector Strategies Performance Report. A performance report was also issued in 2004.
- The National Metal Finishing Resource Center (NMFRC) continues
to collect data, maintain, and update the benchmarking database
,
and provide report cards to individual companies on their progress, environmental costs, and cost savings. Contact George
Cushnie at the National Metal Finishing Resource Center, 434-286-7781; george@caiweb.com.
Regulatory Policy Issues
Sector Strategies continues to provide independent analysis of policy options for ongoing regulatory matters including a possible RCRA F006 exclusion to promote metals recovery and reuse.
Earlier Accomplishments
- National Strategic Goals Program: the first sector-based voluntary performance program; participation by 511 firms, 22 states, over 80 POTWs.
- Cumulative Environmental reductions (by 2002): sludge shipments to landfills by 2.5 million lbs; wastewater by 2.08B gals; metals to water by 251K lbs; organic chemical releases by 5.3 million lbs.
- RCRA final rule to extend allowable F006 sludge storage time to 180 days
- Living the Vision: first-ever sector-based annual environmental report
Trade Associations
- Surface Finishing Industry Council
- American Electroplaters and Surface Finishers Society
- Metal Finishing Suppliers Association
- National Association of Metal Finishers
Government Relations Contacts:
The Policy Group, LLC
(202) 457-0630
FAX (202) 530-0659
Christian Richter (crichter@thepolicygroup.com)
Jeff Hannapel (jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com)