Because of the inconsistent code assigned to the same waste stream or pollutant, data misinterpretations occurred frequently. Development of a universal code system applicable to the air, water, waste, and toxic substances reported online is necessary when integrating various information systems specialized in the aforementioned areas. The codes and management mechanisms currently employed by the U.S., Japan, and European Union were collected and studied. These foreign codes and mechanisms were compared with ours to devise new codes. Codes for renewable resources, wastes, raw materials, products, and manufacturing process were all revised in accordance with the international management mechanism. The business and industry sector codes were developed by adopting the 8th edition of business sector codes, generated by the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics in year 2006. Industry zoning codes were reclassified in accordance with the information collected from domestic industry zone. The codes currently used by the Environment Protection Administration were examined, and 11 new code drafts related to 5 categories were proposed with impact analyses presented in the drafts. Also, 11 tablets of new codes vs. old codes were generated. The user guidelines and inquiry systems of 4 proposed code categories along with the analysis of possible problems and corresponding solutions were presented to the management staff. There were 6 interviews for environmental competent authorities conducted during September and October 2008. Two symposiums were held in November and December 2008 with another 2 coming in February 2009 to discuss the new code suitability with the EPA. To convey the message of future code transformation to the guilds and large-scale businesses, 2 public symposiums were held in December 2008 with 3 more scheduled to be held in March 2009. The universal code system can complement the insufficiency of the existing code system by additionally increasing the convenience and consistence to the online reporters when making online reports in the systems of air, water, waste, and toxic substances. This code system also offers benefits like policy amendment basis to the policy makers and more analytical values to the management staffs. The code modification would make overall reporting process running more smoothly than ever. Additionally, the management and data analysis would become more efficient. The code modification and integration is a good tool to promote unitary environmental permitting in the future.

The Business and Industry Sector Codes, Manufacturing Process Code, Raw Material and Product Code, Renewable Resource and Waste Code, Industrial Zone Code