EFEC is based on the total quality management system steps of plan-do-check-act with the objective of continual improvement.  EFEC focuses on what happens and why it happens. The system examines processes and ensures they work properly.

The general concepts of EFEC are as follows:   Commitment and Policy – top management commits to EFEC   Planning – review operations, legal requirements, set objectives, and develop the program   Implementation – the company executes EFEC   Evaluation – the company audits and monitors EFEC's progress   Review – the company reviews EFEC and modifies it accordingly

EFEC is process oriented may identify problems. Organizations can have an EFEC program and be out of compliance. However, a committed organization learns from its mistakes and prevents similar problems from occurring in the future. That is the concept of continual improvement.  Through EFEC environmental performance will become better over time.

Your program must be versatile to allow your organization to adapt to a quickly changing business environment.  Knowing the furniture industry is dynamic, we have made EFEC to be flexible and straightforward.  Simplicity also makes the program understandable for the employees implementing it and other interested parties (regulators, general public).

EFEC principles have to be put in place and supported by top management. To build and sustain an effective EFEC program, management must communicate to all employees the importance of:

  Making the environment an organizational priority

  Building environmental management into all operations

  Looking at problems as opportunities  

As you build and implement EFEC, some roadblocks may be encountered. Some people in the organization may view the program as additional bureaucracy or extra expense. There may be resistance to change or fear of new responsibilities. Conversely, employees may get excited and want to take part in the process.

To overcome potential roadblocks, make sure that all employees understand why the organization needs a proactive program and how EFEC will help you control environmental impacts in a cost-effective manner. Getting people involved in developing and implementing EFEC will demonstrate the organization’s commitment to the environment and help to ensure that EFEC is realistic, practical and adds value.  Ultimately, top management must commit to EFEC, which will lead to successful implementation.

The following are some general thoughts from an environmental manager with a furniture company that has implemented an Environmental Management System  (EMS) similar to EFEC.

In general, an EMS can, and should, be based on common sense and good project management – identify objectives, a baseline, and the route to meet the objectives.  It is important to understand your priorities for action.

Reasons for EMS

  Business (with many divisions) has environmental issues

  Regulatory agencies wanted them to implement EMS

  Had some past issues with locals, which were resolved, however other different issues had begun to emerge

  Regulatory enforcement agency was stepping up general effort

  Need to react to market demands and process changes, EMS provides flexibility to do this

  Previous approaches to environmental issues were fragmented, ad hoc and reactive

Implementation Comments

  Projects should be identified, people assigned to them and a project timeline.  Projects should be linked to quantifiable target wherever possible

  Little worker resistance, people were cooperative and wanted to do something

  Any resistance stemmed from lack of knowledge, i.e., the feeling that nothing needed to be done

  Details of actions required to solve problems could become a problem – economics, feasibility of actions

  Cost was considered part of doing business

  Does require significant time commitment of people.  This was greatly influenced by clear objectives and sound overall project planning.

  Clear mandates and control should be given to key individuals

Benefits

  Enhanced corporate view of environmental program and internal communications

  Was essential to obtain permits more quickly

  Process systematically reviews environmental issues and how they are related to health and safety and quality issues

  Process of identifying environmental issues requires you to identify significance of actions and why you do them that way, this process can drive production decisions and considerations

  Raises environmental awareness throughout the organization (recycling, etc)

  Redesigns can result in cost savings

  Forces prioritizing of action programs to address issues

Issues/Detractions/Problems

  Maintaining management attention that program is important.  Environmental competes against sales and production issues.  Company is in business to make furniture, therefore for company to survive, it must focus on production and sales

  Management was leery to commit to a major system, with expense being the largest concern.

  Organization could have been better, initial impact assessment was large and somewhat burdensome because it tried to do 15 sites at once