A product, service, or program has strategic value when it is designed or managed to drive an organization toward its core values and long-term goals. The strategic value of environmental, health and safety (EHS) programs lies in the contribution of such programs to have competitive advantage, profitability, innovation, productivity, and other goals that are viewed as essential to the long-term health and well-being of the organization. For government organizations, long-term goals are typically fulfillment of directives or mandates. For nonprofits, health and well-being may be determined by a commitment to provide products or services to members or the general public.

This section identifies and links key EHS functions and associated business values, outlines existing methods for enhancing the business value of EHS, and offers practical tools and techniques for selling EHS initiatives to management.