As organizations pursue or maintain ISO 14001 certification, audit findings are a routine part of evaluating the effectiveness of an Environmental Management System (EMS). In practice, the EMS must be supported by clear procedures, records, and controls that meet ISO 14001 documentation requirements. Most ISO 14001 nonconformities are not the result of poor system design but stem from gaps in implementation, inconsistent maintenance, incomplete documentation, or failure to correct issues identified during Internal ISO 14001 Audits.
Category: Regulatory Updates
In manufacturing, we know that safety is about what happens on the floor, not just what’s written in a binder. As we move into 2026, a few key deadlines and enforcement rules are coming to a head.
At Conversion Technology Inc. (CTI), we want to make sure you know what’s coming down the pipeline so you can stay on top of things before they become an issue. Continue reading “What to Expect in 2026 – Manufacturing Safety: Straight Talk on the New Deadlines”
As we dig into the new year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is poised to implement several significant updates to its regulations and standards. These changes aim to enhance workplace safety and health, and employers must be proactive to ensure compliance. Here is a comprehensive overview of what to expect and how to prepare.
OSHA Citations Get More Expensive
As they do each year OSHA, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are increasing the maximum amount that can be fined for each violation. This is done to account for inflation. Effective as of January 15th, 2025, the fine structure for each violation is as follows: Continue reading “What to Expect from OSHA in 2025”
What is NFPA 660?
In the past, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has issued several consensus standards governing the storage, handling, and generation of combustible particulates, along with many other Fire Safety documents. Recently the hard work of committees spanning the different combustible dust standards have fruited a new standard, NFPA 660 – Standard for Combustible Dusts and Particulate Solids. The effective date of the standard was December 6, 2024.
NFPA 660 was written to consolidate the requirements and guidance from the following standards: Continue reading “The New Combustible Dust Standard is Here – NFPA 660”
In the realm of workplace safety and compliance, staying abreast of regulatory changes is paramount. Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) introduced an update to the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) Final Rule, signifying a significant development in ensuring the safety and well-being of workers across various industries.
What is the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS)?
With the issuance of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s (EPD) 2022 Industrial General Stormwater Permit (IGP), several changes were made to stormwater monitoring requirements.
Continue reading “NetDMR Account Creation, Facility Association, & DMR Submittal”
Non-attainment area is an area considered to have air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards as defined in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970.
Non-attainment areas must have and implement a plan to meet the standard, or risk losing some forms of federal financial assistance.
An area may be a non-attainment area for one pollutant and an “attainment area” for others. In October 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the approval of Georgia’s request to have the Atlanta Nonattainment area redesignated to attainment status for ozone Nation Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The Atlanta Nonattainment Area includes the counties of Bartow, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnnett, and Henry. Continue reading “Redesignation of the Atlanta Nonattainment Area to Attainment for the 2015 Ozone Standards”
Upcoming changes with the release of the GA EPD 2022 stormwater permit that may affect/impact your facility: Continue reading “What to expect with the release of the 2022 GA Stormwater Permit”
What is the General Stormwater Permit?
Most facilities that conduct industrial activity exposed to stormwater are familiar with the NPDES Industrial Storm Water General Permit and are aware that it is issued by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The current General Stormwater Permit was issued in March 2017 and will continue through May 2022. This is the earliest effective date for reissuance of the permit. Facilities with a permit are authorized to discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity to the waters of the state of Georgia in accordance with the limitations, monitoring requirements and other conditions set forth in the permit.
What is the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan? Continue reading “Staying in Compliance with Your General Stormwater Permit”
On July 26, 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed revisions that would allow an operating facility to be reclassified from a major source of hazardous air pollutants under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act to an area source, thus removing the policy commonly known as “once in, always in”. This revision could take a lot of pressure for capital investments and permitting off of facilities that are eligible.
