The new paradigm: ISO 14000 and its place in regulatory reform.

The ISO 14,000 environmental management system (EMS) standards have shifted the environmental protection paradigm away from command-and-control and toward self-regulation, monitoring and compliance. These EMS standards were developed by both regulators and businesses and offer industry the flexibility to develop methods of compliance that are cost-effective. The interest in compliance and self-auditing by business has resulted from increased market pressure to become more green. Businesses have found environmental compliance to enhance their competitive position.