Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services

Environment and sustainability matters are a growing concern to stakeholders and companies. An objective assessment of your risk is essential to protecting your financial and corporate integrity.

Environment, sustainability and security matters are an increasingly frequent topic of discussion in corporate boardrooms because of the potential negative ramifications that they can have on business and in the community. Companies may face financial exposure, negative publicity and regulatory fines resulting from a failure to adequately understand and address these issues. A proactive effort to identify potential problems early on and develop plans to address them is critical. A careful assessment can help preserve your public image and your competitive edge. We can help you identify areas of concern and better equip you to manage and reduce risk.

Assess and manage risks. With your business objectives in mind, we help define and develop methods to identify and manage risks and create long-term, sustainable business advantages. We can analyze your operations and recommend ways to better protect your employees, the community, the environment and your property. We also can help clarify engineering and GAAP estimation methodologies, reducing the likelihood of over- and under-estimation of liabilities.

How we can help. Working in a wide variety of industries, our team of engineers and accountants can help:

• Perform environment, safety, and security assessments and develop recommendations
• Investigate financial controls and procedures related to environmental liabilities
• Harmonize procedures among facilities and across cultures for calculating and reporting environment and sustainability data
• Analyze environment, safety, and sustainability reports
• Develop and assess environment, safety, and sustainability performance metrics
• Design and deliver training

With a global reach and an understanding of international environmental, sustainability, and security issues, we combine local knowledge with global best practices to assist you in reaching your business objectives.

Case studies

We work with you to address important environmental, sustainability and safety issues to help protect your business and your reputation.

Global chemical security. A chemical manufacturer requested an independent assessment of potential security vulnerabilities related to chemical manufacturing and distribution at its US and European operations. We analyzed operations and distribution in relation to applicable regulatory and trade requirements, internal policies, promissory estoppels and best practices. We prioritized risks and developed recommendations based on control enhancements and resources. Our recommendations were accepted by the board, and actionable steps were implemented to enhance security.

Environmental strategy. Our professionals helped a leading agricultural company develop its corporate environmental strategy. We provided information on market forces, developed a mission and vision, mapped operations to regulations and risks and developed tools for them to perform self-assessments of environmental risks affecting operations. Our client benefited in terms of developing its direction, improving performance and reducing risks.

Process safety management (PSM). We assessed the effectiveness of a pharmaceutical manufacturer’s OSHA PSM audits. We focused on best practices for management commitment, scope and objectives, auditor selection, site selection and scheduling, protocols, field guides, reporting, work papers and compliance tracking. Our analysis helped the client improve its procedure for conducting PSM audits.

Global manufacturing safety assessment. We assessed the worldwide operations of a leading manufacturing company that was experiencing an increase in safety incidents. We identified, translated and analyzed global safety regulations and made recommendations to improve safety performance and enhance compliance.

Environmental whistle-blower. We acted as an independent investigator for a law firm hired by a board of directors to evaluate a whistle-blower’s complaint. We investigated facility and corporate practices for identifying, estimating and recording environmental liabilities and presented our findings to the board.

Release of transgenic material. A company hired us to assess the processes, controls and practices associated with the manufacture and distribution of transgenic material. We evaluated the process from the research lab through the global product delivery network. Focusing on applicable regulatory, trade and company requirements, we made recommendations that addressed the client’s risk profile and resources.

Nuclear utility cost controls. We assessed the adequacy and effectiveness of project management controls, procedures and reporting for a nuclear generating station. EY assessed the organizational structure, controls, policies and procedures, technology and systems. We focused on identifying critical risks factors and the development of findings and recommendations to highlight strengths and address any deficiencies.