Environmental Results Programs (ERPs)

Environmental Results Programs (ERP) are an innovative approach to solving high-priority environmental problems in industry sectors largely comprised of small businesses affected by regulations, but not previously targeted for compliance and enforcement efforts. The goal is to show a valid picture of the entire industry sector and help identify and solve the biggest problems. This approach is different from those used in a traditional regulatory program where each individual facility is issued a permit, reports are submitted regularly, the regulatory agency performs periodic inspections, and when violations are found, enforcement action is taken.

ERPs can be considered environmental compliance workbooks covering waste, water, air, and other environmental regulations. The workbooks lead facilities step by step through environmental requirements. Based on a facility's responses to simple yes/no questions, it can then certify compliance. After compliance certifications are received, compliance inspections are done on a random, statistically significant sampling of facilities. The results of those compliance inspections can then be used to estimate compliance rates for the business sector as a whole. Compliance problems can be targeted with workshops or fact sheets and compliance improvement can be tracked over the years to determine the effectiveness of the program.

What are compliance assistance tools?

Compliance assistance tools consist of plain language, sector-specific workbook and introductory workshops that educate facility owners/operators about their environmental obligations. Written from the facility operator's point of view, the workbook illustrates the facility's processes, guides the user through a self-audit for compliance, and offers techniques for pollution prevention, health, and safety best practices.

What is self-certification?

Self-certification means that facilities bear the responsibility of ensuring that they are meeting state and federal regulations. Facilities do this by working through the ERP compliance assistance workbook (to be provided) and auditing themselves. The company will either certify compliance or will develop a Return-to-Compliance plan if problems are found.

Self-certification, which covers multi-media (air, water, and waste) performance standards for the business sector, is signed by a senior official at the facility. Self-certification creates personal accountability for compliance with the facility owners or operators. Penalties may be assessed for false, inaccurate, or misleading statements.

Why measure performance?

Measuring performance is critical to evaluate the effectiveness of ERP and to assure regulatory compliance. ERP uses industry-specific Environmental Business Practice Indicators linked to selected regulatory requirements and pollution prevention to track performance. Regulators use statistical sampling methods to measure compliance with random pre- and post-certification facility checks as well as targeted inspections for non-compliant facilities. Performance measures are collected and analyzed both at the individual facility and sector levels enabling regulators to track results, determine priorities, and strategically target inspections and compliance assistance efforts.

The DNR is working with the Department of Commerce in developing an ERP. Read more...[exit DNR]

Last Review Date: July 26, 2006
Next Review Date: July 26, 2007