ABSTRACT

Environmental audits, sometimes termed “environmental assessments” or “environmental surveys,” are becoming increasingly popular as a result of increased corporate sensitivity to environmental problems, as well as the increased complexity of the environmental regulatory programs. Corporate managers want to verify the quality and effectiveness of their firm’s environmental management structure and practices. EPA has published a policy statement encouraging the use of environmental audits by regulated entities “to help achieve and maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations, as well as to help identify and correct unregulated environmental hazards” (51 FR 25003-25010—July 9, 1986.