This International Standard specifies the requirements of an environmental management system for organizations seeking to establish, implement, maintain and continually improve a framework with the aim to manage its environmental responsibilities in a manner that contributes to the ‘environmental pillar’ of sustainability.
The intended outcomes of an environmental management system provide value for the environment, the organization and its interested parties. Consistent with the organization's environmental policy, the intended outcomes of an environmental management system include:
enhancement of environmental performance;
conforming to compliance obligations;
fulfilment of environmental objectives.
This International Standard is applicable to any organization regardless of size, type and nature and applies to the environmental aspects that the organization determines it can either control or can influence considering a life cycle perspective. It does not state specific environmental performance criteria, nor does it increase or change an organization’s legal obligations.
This International Standard can be used in whole or in part to improve environmental management, but all the requirements are intended to be incorporated into an environmental management system and fulfilled, without exclusion, if an organization claims it complies with this International Standard.
