International standards specifies requirements for an Environmental Management System, to enable an organization to formulate a policy and objectives taking into account legislative requirements and information about significant environmental impacts. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization can control and over which it can be expected to have an influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria.
 

The International Standard is applicable to any organization that wishes to:

• Implement, maintain and improve an Environmental Management System.

• Assure itself of its conformance with its stated Environmental Policy.

• Demonstrate such conformance to others, seek certification / registration of its Environmental Management System by an external organization.

• Make a self-determination and self-declaration of conformance with the International Standard.

All the requirements of the International Standards are intended to be incorporated into the Environmental Management System. The extent of the application will depend on such factors as the Environmental Policy of the organization; the nature of its activities and the conditions in which it operates.