Success Secrets from a Nine Year Old ISO 14001 Environmental Management System

Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. (EMD) is a manufacturer and rebuilder of diesel engines and various component parts for locomotives and other power products.  The EMD headquarters is located in LaGrange, Illinois.  The LaGrange site consists of a number of buildings including the U.S. Headquarters Building and various manufacturing facilities. 

EMD began implementation of its environmental management system (EMS) in January 2001 and received ISO 14001 certification in February 2002.  Now, nine years later, EMD’s EMS is still going strong despite challenges such as ownership changes, management transitions, and overall turnover throughout the facility.  In this presentation, EMD will share its lessons learned and secrets for a successful EMS program throughout the years that has strengthened environmental compliance and eased the pains of facility turnover.  Since implementing its EMS, EMD has received four Illinois Governors Pollution Prevention Awards.  Factors that have contributed to EMD’s success include consistent management commitment, employee and union involvement, dedicated EMS team, and incorporation of the EMS into existing business and compliance programs. 

These lessons learned will be helpful to a number of audience members, from EMS novices still trying to decide if EMS and/or ISO 14001 is really worth it, to others with established EMS programs looking for additional tips to sustain and continually improve their systems.