Integrating ISO 14001 and EPA Responsible Recycling (R2)

[vsedriver]

My company is going for registration for ISO 14001 and also R2. We've been running the ISO program for 2 years but we are just starting the R2 program. Has anyone merged these two systems? Any suggestions, or advice? I'm very confident of our ISO EMS but very nervous about the R2.

 

[Randy]

Yep, sure have seen it, along with OHSAS 18001 as well...3-in-one package!

Advice? Don't try to outsmart the requirments, keep it simple and match everything up.

 

[vsedriver]

Thanks Randy, that's pretty much what I thought although we don't have the ISO 18001. In fact, I almost PM you for advice. Would you believe I was given no budget for this?

 

[Randy]

You may or may not need much anyway. If you step back and take an objective look to your delight you may see that you already have a large percentage of what you need already in place (that is if you have a fairly good EHS compliance program in place...Remember, R2 has safety elements within it as well as environmental.

 

[vsedriver]

You may or may not need much anyway. If you step back and take an objective look to your delight you may see that you already have a large percentage of what you need already in place (that is if you have a fairly good EHS compliance program in place...Remember, R2 has safety elements within it as well as environmental.

thanks Randy, I'm thinking the same thing. However the EHS program is very weak. No one has looked at it in 4 years. I was too busy with ISO 14001. I'm considering having a consultant do a gap analysis. In any case I have to make some decisions soon just to meet the deadlines.

I love the way management wants all this stuff but doesn't want to pay for it.