A company or facility may become a member  of the South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program by  either:

A .  Submitting documentation of registration, certification,  or active participation in a national, regional, or state recognized program or project (e.g. ISO 14001, ATMI E3 program, CMA Responsible Care program, AF&PA Environmental Health, and Safety Principles National Performance Track Program) that encompasses the objectives set forth in Section B; or

B. Submitting an environmental excellence plan signed by the company's corporate officer  or by the facility's plant manager that includes:

• Commitment by senior management to establish a company or facility-wide comprehensive environmental management system, including stated goals and objectives to  enhance and improve environmental compliance through  waste reduction, pollution prevention, and/or  conservation of energy and other resources;
• Development  of specific, measurable targets to reach the stated goals and objectives and to periodically monitor progress toward achieving these goals. The plan may include documentation, and request for recognition of  existing programs and results to date.
• Recognition  that minimizing adverse impact on human health and the  environment is a top priority in the company or  facility's business decisions;
• Commitment to continuous improvement; and
• Commitment to effective communication with the surrounding  community.

A  company or facility may not be eligible to participate in the program if there has been a pattern of permit  exceedances, notices of violation, fines, civil penalties and/or criminal penalties that indicates a lack of  commitment to continuously improving environmental  performance.

The  South Carolina Environmental Excellence Program reserves  the right to review compliance records under Section A and B.