Insights on EHS: Taylor Murphy ahead of NAEM’s FORUM25

Every year, NAEM hosts the largest annual gathering for EHS and sustainability decision-makers and Enhesa has proudly been included since 1990, with various members of our Expert Services team invited to speak.

This year, the Forum is taking place in Tuscon, Arizona, 21-24 October, and Expert Services Manager Taylor Murphy is representing Enhesa. She’ll be discussing the rapidity of regulatory change, uncertainty in the US political climate, and strategies companies can adopt to keep up with a fast-paced compliance landscape — including the benefits of horizon-scanning for staying ahead of regulatory change.

In this article, we’ve asked Taylor for her perspective on the NAEM conference, insight into her role as an Expert Services Manager, and some key lessons she’s learned from working with Enhesa’s clients that could be useful for other companies around the world.

Read on to find out more — plus, read Taylor’s article, published by NAEM, below.

Tell us a little about the NAEM Forum conference and your part in it

Taylor Murphy: The NAEM Forum is one of the leading gatherings for environmental, health, safety, and sustainability (EHS&S) professionals in the US. It’s designed for practitioners at all levels, so you get a real mix of attendees — from emerging leaders to seasoned executives. It brings together experts across industries to share practical strategies, regulatory updates, and insights on pressing issues like compliance, leadership, and sustainability.

Attendees can choose from multiple tracks, which allows them to tailor their experience to focus on technical updates, professional development, or broader business strategy. Beyond the sessions, there’s plenty of opportunity for open conversation for peers to share challenges, solutions, and lessons learned.

I think this combination of expert-led content and candid dialogue makes the event quite valuable — it’s a place to both stay ahead of regulatory and industry trends and to connect with a diverse community of EHS professionals who understand the realities of implementing change on the ground.

I first attended in 2021. That year and the one following, I presented in sessions — some of those were still virtual at the time. For the 2025 Forum, I’m speaking about the current regulatory climate and how it’s impacting businesses, including key techniques and approaches that companies can take to remain compliant now, while always proactively horizon-scanning and preparing for future shifts.

What do you personally enjoy most about presenting and attending the NAEM Forum?

TM: For me, the best part of presenting is the audience. They’re knowledgeable, engaged, and genuinely invested in the discussion. Even when it’s not a direct question for me, I learn a lot from the way attendees talk among themselves about how they’re handling regulatory changes. I always walk away with new perspectives and ideas to think about.

As an attendee, I make it a point to sit in on as many sessions as I can. It gives me a sense of what EHS professionals are prioritizing and helps me bring fresh insights back to my clients. Plus, I really value the in-person connections. Meeting clients face-to-face after working with them virtually, or even co-presenting with them, has been a fun and rewarding experience that strengthens those relationships as well.

How does the diversity of attendees shape the value of the Forum?

TM: One of the things I really appreciate about the NAEM Forum is the diversity of its audience. You’ll find senior leaders with decades of experience right alongside professionals who are just starting out in their EHS careers. That mix brings a richness to the discussions — everyone gains something from sharing their perspectives. Whether it’s seasoned executives offering lessons learned or newer professionals bringing fresh ideas, the variety really enhances the learning experience.

From your experience, what topics draw the greatest attention?

TM: Compliance updates always draw a strong audience because they’re so directly tied to what professionals need to prepare for. Attendees want to know what’s changing and how to get ready, and they value the opportunity to compare notes with their peers on how to handle major shifts.

More recently, sustainability has become a huge draw, as well. It’s still relatively new territory for many organizations, and EHS teams are trying to figure out what it means for them — especially since many of these teams are already lean and stretched. Companies that started sustainability programs early share valuable lessons about how they built them from day one through to more mature stages. That kind of peer learning is incredibly appealing.

What has your role taught you about defending against the uncertainty that we’re seeing in the regulatory landscape?

TM: One of the biggest challenges I see is the loss of institutional knowledge as experienced professionals retire and new staff come in. That’s on top of the constant changes in regulations themselves.

What helps companies defend against uncertainty is having quality global EHS requirements content, robust management systems, and corporate standards. When those are strong, organizations are less vulnerable to sudden regulatory rollbacks or shifts. Many of my clients, for example, maintain standards higher than current US federal requirements because they’re operating in global supply chains or in regions across Europe where stricter rules still apply to them. That way, they’re prepared no matter what happens at the federal level.

Of course, US regulations can swing back and forth with changes in administration, but that doesn’t mean those other more globalized regulations no longer apply. Having a global perspective, horizon-scanning for future changes, and relying on robust corporate standards helps stabilize operations, even in volatile times.

How does your role at Enhesa help companies prepare for what’s on the compliance horizon?

TM: My role involves analyzing regulatory developments — federal, state, and global — and helping companies decide how to respond. Often that means weighing whether to adopt the most stringent standards across all operations or to take a more balanced approach, depending on resources. For example, California tends to have the toughest rules, and companies have to decide if they can realistically implement that level across every site.

What I do is provide that analysis and help companies strike the right balance between strict compliance and practical implementation. I also support them in building corporate standards that simplify compliance across multiple states or countries.

Importantly, adopting higher standards now also acts as a form of horizon-scanning — if regulations become more stringent again in the future, companies are already prepared and don’t face a massive scramble to catch up.

Read Taylor’s NAEM article: Your best defense amid shifting regulations

Originally published 27 August 2025 by NAEM.

EHS regulations are always changing, and right now, companies in the US are facing a lot of uncertainty. This makes managing compliance programs and keeping track of changes more complicated, especially if your company operates in multiple states.

While the main driver in this uncertain regulatory landscape is political turmoil, we’re seeing a mix of deregulation at the federal level and stricter rules in some states. Here are a few things companies should keep in mind for the future:

• Sustainability is still a big focus, especially if your company operates globally or is involved in a global supply chain. Even though deregulation is currently happening in the U.S., companies need to think long-term about sustainability and market goals.

• Public awareness and pressure are also key. The public is generally more aware of a company’s environmental impacts and health and safety initiatives. Beyond just regulatory compliance, public opinion can really affect your brand and bottom line.

It’s not uncommon for EHS regulations to shift with different administrations. So, using this time to develop or improve your corporate standards and internal EHS program can help your teams not only manage compliance but also build business sustainability and resilience for the future.

Always keep an eye on the horizon — knowing about changes before they happen is your best defense. If you can spot a change coming, you can plan your next move more deliberately. In the long run, being proactive rather than reactive can save you money, boost your revenue, help you attract and keep great employees, and reduce your risk of legal trouble and damage to your reputation.

Learn more at FORUM25

To explore strategies and tools for proactively managing evolving regulations, attend Taylor’s FORUM25 session, “Managing Compliance in a Conflicting Regulatory Environment,” on Thursday 23 October, 13:45 – 15:00 MST.