{"id":3197,"date":"2023-02-28T16:19:37","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T16:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/?page_id=3197"},"modified":"2026-07-21T11:30:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T15:30:39","slug":"ems","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/ems\/","title":{"rendered":"EMS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull\" style=\"min-height:200px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1588\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-161\" alt=\"Kennedy's Environmental Program\" src=\"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2022\/05\/ShorelineBG01a.jpg\" style=\"object-position:50% 60%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"50% 60%\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-30 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:15px;padding-left:15px;flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-324c80a0\"><h1 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Environment Management System (EMS)<\/h1><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-uagb-columns uagb-columns__wrap uagb-columns__background-none uagb-columns__stack-mobile uagb-columns__valign- uagb-columns__gap-20 alignwide uagb-block-0d23415f uagb-columns__columns-1 uagb-columns__max_width-theme\"><div class=\"uagb-columns__overlay\"><\/div><div class=\"uagb-columns__inner-wrap uagb-columns__columns-1\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-column uagb-column__wrap uagb-column__background-undefined uagb-block-a8d32488\"><div class=\"uagb-column__overlay\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-veo6g4-ogilka-jbk5lq\">Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is uniquely located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR). The executive managers and all employees at Kennedy are committed to protecting, preserving, enhancing, and restoring the quality of the environment while achieving our mission activities. It is the responsibility of every Kennedy employee to ensure that their work activities are conducted in a manner that supports environmental leadership at Kennedy. We shall do this by following the actions set forth in the environmental policy below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ensure Compliance &#8211;<\/strong> Ensure compliance through a proactive, systematic approach that integrates environmental management system elements into Kennedy operations and practices to comply with all environmental laws, regulations, policies, Executive Orders, and NASA\u2019s environmental directives, procedures, and requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conserve Resources &#8211;<\/strong> Conduct Kennedy operations in a manner that protects and enhances Kennedy\u2019s unique environmental resources through the efficient use of natural resources and energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prevent Pollution &#8211;<\/strong> Reduce the use and emission of toxic materials, minimize waste generation, and improve Kennedy recycling efforts through recovery, reuse, and purchase of environmentally preferable products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Restore Environmentally Contaminated Areas &#8211;<\/strong> Clean up, enhance, and restore the environmental quality of Kennedy areas which have been adversely impacted by Kennedy operations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Continually Improve Environmental Performance &#8211;<\/strong> Continually review and improve the Kennedy Environmental Management System and environmental performance by such means as developing and sharing innovative technologies and by enhancing environmental science through partnerships with other governmental agencies, academia, and other organizations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-e7d06076\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Structure and Responsibility<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">Kennedy EMS establishes roles and responsibilities for environmental management and provides appropriate resources for their execution. The following are some examples of such roles and the corresponding responsibilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Kennedy EMS Representative manages the EMS and reports to Senior Management and NASA Headquarters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Senior Management council examines EMS performance and the results of functional assessments and audits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An EMS Core Team, consisting of individuals from operations across the Center, works to develop and implement EMS procedures and assists in reviewing and evaluating EMS performance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-84aa079b\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Environmental Training, Awareness and Competence<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">All employees and contractors must be trained and capable of fulfilling their environmental responsibilities. This is achieved by incorporating EMS information into new or transferred employee training and refresher programs for existing status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-94d8e3e3\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Communication<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">In order for effective and efficient operation, methods for external and internal communication are outlined in the Kennedy EMS. This is essential in order to ensure that information about the management system is disseminated to all employees and stakeholders. Internal communication is targeted at Kennedy employees, customers, and suppliers and includes information on applicable legal and regulatory compliance. External communication is focused on neighbors, community organizations, environmental groups, the media and the general public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-966672cb\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Checking and Corrective Action<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">The focus of Kennedy EMS is continual improvement. Opportunities for improvement in operations and management are identified through a process of discovering problems, investigating their underlying causes, identifying and implementing corrective and preventive actions, and tracking these actions to verify their effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-be4cde1e\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Monitoring and Measurements<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">One method of checking the effectiveness of Kennedy EMS is through the monitoring of activities and tracking of performance in relation to the goals set during the planning phase. Documented procedures are established and maintained to track, monitor, and measure characteristics of the operations associated with EMS objectives and targets and high-priority impacts. Examples of procedures that may include monitoring and measurement requirements are Standard Operating Procedures, Performance Plans, and Inspection Records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-30c0ba7c\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Nonconformance, Corrective and Preventative Action<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">After an internal or external audit, Kennedy is able to identify areas for improvement in environmental performance and in the operation and documentation of the EMS and environmental performance. Kennedy strives to minimize nonconformance by changing or updating elements of the EMS or providing additional training. Identifying the problem allows Kennedy to develop a solution and prevent reoccurrence by documenting corrective and preventive actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-38179ad8\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">SEMS Audit<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">NASA has a formal Agency-wide audit program to be used for assessing the EMS at Kennedy. NASA assesses actual performance against identified policies, programs, objectives, and targets and then provides feedback to Kennedy. Kennedy also internally review its EMS for continual improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-fda2c6f5\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Management Review<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-poppins-font-family advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr\">Management periodically reviews Kennedy EMS for its performance both center and NASA-wide on an annual basis, though Kennedy may choose to review more frequently. Management review assesses the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the SEMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-e9ac1cf0\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Laws and Requirements<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NPD 8500.1 \u2013 NASA Environmental Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NPR 8553.1 \u2013 NASA Environmental Management System<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KNPD 8500.1 &#8211; KSC Environmental Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KNPR 8500.1 &#8211; KSC Environmental Requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>KNPR 8553.1 &#8211; NASA KSC SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SEMS)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-uagb-advanced-heading uagb-block-d09ee60f\"><h5 class=\"uagb-heading-text\">Additional Information<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/emd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NASA Headquarters Environmental Management Division<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kennedy employees can visit the <a href=\"http:\/\/businessworld.ksc.nasa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">KSC Business World<\/a> website for more information on Kennedy EMS.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n<style class=\"advgb-styles-renderer\">.advgb-veo6g4-ogilka-jbk5lq {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-veo6g4-ogilka-jbk5lq {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-veo6g4-ogilka-jbk5lq {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}.advgb-nnlu4k-l7j0ys-zwl2wr {font-family:\"Poppins\";font-weight:400;}<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is uniquely located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR). The executive managers and all employees at Kennedy are committed to protecting, preserving, enhancing, and restoring the quality of the environment while achieving our mission activities. It is the responsibility of every Kennedy employee to ensure that their work activities [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"unboxed","site-sidebar-style":"unboxed","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3197","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_post_mime_type":"","uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"gform-image-choice-sm":false,"gform-image-choice-md":false,"gform-image-choice-lg":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"","author_link":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/author\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is uniquely located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR). The executive managers and all employees at Kennedy are committed to protecting, preserving, enhancing, and restoring the quality of the environment while achieving our mission activities. It is the responsibility of every Kennedy employee to ensure that their work activities&hellip;","coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/author\/","display_name":""},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 4 years ago","modified":"Updated 3 months ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on February 28, 2023","modified":"Updated on July 21, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on February 28, 2023 4:19 pm","modified":"Updated on July 21, 2026 11:30 am"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":false,"series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3197"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5059,"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3197\/revisions\/5059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/public.ksc.nasa.gov\/environmental\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}