This British Standard provides guidance for all organizations, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), on the phased development, implementation, maintenance and improvement of an EMS. It also includes guidance on the: integration and use of environmental performance evaluation (EPE) techniques during the implementation process; and co-ordination of such an EMS with other management systems, where appropriate. The guidance in this British Standard is applicable to any organization, regardless of the nature of the business activity undertaken, location, or level of maturity.