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Introduction When we last checked the RAB website (www.rabnet.com) there were over 30 accredited registrars, give or take a few, and a handful of applicants hoping to become accredited registrars. However, such listings do not exist for those consultants who usually provide the consulting support to the industrial clients of these registrars. The closest "list" in the environmental consulting world come courtesy of certain trade pubs that list environmental consultants by category in special editions, labeled "the consultant guide", or similar catch phrase. Using that information as a guide, there are at last several hundred environmental compliance and management system consultants in the US, from the large multi-national "conglomerates' to the smaller "mom-and-pop" or boutique consultant practices that may employ one or several individuals. The former are the larger firms with household names that are primarily engineering firms that also double as environmental management system (EMS) service providers, while the latter are usually individuals contracted out to assist registrars, RAB-accredited course providers, or providing EMS-specific services to smaller clients that cannot afford the larger firms, or are too small for them. As with the lists the RAB provides on their website for registrars, auditors and course providers, you the end user are ultimately responsible for doing your own homework to select the firm you feel would be right for you. Even with a list, in the absence of a Gomez.com-type rating service, finding the appropriate EMS service provider may require some old-fashioned gum shoe tactics. Take for example, that you are the plant or general manager of a small manufacturing firm or a local or other type of municipal government. While you may be familiar with some consultants with whom you have worked with in the past or currently retain for other work, they may not be right for you to help you through your EMS development or training phase as you prepare your facility for the registrar's audit. |
There's nothing wrong with keeping your current consultant for other regulatory needs, but you should also be willing to consider other, perhaps more seasoned EMS practitioners who may be just what you are looking for. Keep in perspective that not all consultants can be all things to all people. Case in point: while some may specialize in regulatory compliance, they may not be as familiar in management system issues, and hence, not be of added value to you in getting your EMS in tip-top shape. Sometimes all that it takes is a fresh set of eyes and perspective to help you the plant manager to take the quantum leap from regulatory compliance to ISO 14001 implementation. That requires a special skill set and management-style mindset that builds upon ISO 14001 considerations to help make your objectives an ISO-reality.
In the world of scientists, engineers and consultants, there are primarily two camps of specialized service providers: those firms that provide heavy engineering support, such as the design and building of structures and water use projects, to the cleanup of heavily contaminated sites that can also require special remediation designs to help cleanup the underlying soil and groundwater at many of the Superfund sites across the country; and those firms that can be classified as environmental consultants that usually provide the sampling and regulatory support of these larger firms at various sites. Such work can include soil, water and air sampling of construction sites or at cleanup sites. In addition, either type of firm can also provide the soft-skills that relate to regulatory compliance, such as specialized environmental compliance auditing, HAZWOPER or other regulatory required training; compliance auditing assistance, or other needs as required by the client. With the advent of the ISO 14000 series of international standards, beginning with the passage of ISO 14001 in 1996, many of these firms have slowly dipped their feet into the ISO waters and have begun to gain ground, competing with the entrenched ISO 9000 and 14000 practitioners. |
| ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 ISO 14000 |
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