Contamination is a substantial problem in New Jersey due to our industrial history. The environmental, financial, and health consequences are severe, leading to multiple laws regulating air and water quality, waste management and recycling, the protection of natural resources, and the community’s right to know about chemical risks.
Companies show their commitment to environmental sustainability by performing an environmental compliance audit, but the governing laws are intricate. SCC Legal has many years of experience handling complex environmental law matters, with positive results for our clients. In this article, we look at environmental audits, the different types, and common findings. We also highlight how our legal expertise can assist your business with environmental compliance.
What Is an Environmental Audit?
The New Jersey Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (NBAP), New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, defines an environmental audit as follows:
“An examination of a facility’s environmental records and practices while checking for both accuracy and conformance to the organization’s environmental policies and regulatory responsibilities.”
The objectives of an environmental audit are to help businesses:
- Understand relevant environmental requirements.
- Set environmental goals consistent with their operations.
- Identify compliance deficiencies and correct them before they become violations.
- Discover opportunities to become more efficient and reduce their environmental footprint.
Types of Environmental Audits
Environmental audits must be completed for all company sites, with time and cost implications for businesses. Companies benefit when they consult with an environmental attorney throughout the audit process to ensure legal requirements are complied with. The three primary types of environmental audits are environmental compliance audits, environmental management audits, and functional environmental audits.
An environmental compliance audit reviews the site or company’s legal compliance status, while an environmental management audit helps businesses measure performance against their environmental performance standards. Functional performance audits measure the effects of a specific activity, such as wastewater management.
Common Audit Findings
Organizations can strengthen their environmental impact and avoid regulatory penalties by complying with regulations. Audit findings are broad, but we highlight the following:
- Outdated environmental programs
Environmental programs that have not been updated to reflect current regulatory standards or site conditions.
- Insufficient recordkeeping and documentation
Inspection violations and missed deadlines are the result of missing, incomplete, or disorganized records related to permits, training documentation, and more.
- Incorrect materials management, handling, and reporting
Inappropriate hazardous materials management and waste handling practices combined with reporting inaccuracies can lead to environmental contamination and severe penalties.
The Role of Legal Expertise in Environmental Compliance
The purpose of an environmental compliance audit is to help companies and organizations adopt practices that benefit the environment, business, and community. Ignoring the state’s comprehensive environmental laws results in reputational damage, large fines, and legal liabilities that could have been avoided with the assistance of an environmental lawyer during the audit process.
SCC Legal assists small to mid-sized New Jersey businesses with legal guidance on regulatory compliance and audits. We can also represent your business in environmental litigation and disputes.
For more information on environmental law, or if you want to discuss the legalities of an environmental compliance audit in NJ, please contact our team at SCC Legal today or visit us at: https://www.scclegal.com/
