While there have been many different initiatives, including cleaner production, energy reduction, waste minimisation and eco-efficiency (see Unit 3), it is the adoption of environmental management systems that drives environmental improvement in most companies in the world.

There are a number of concerns about the standards for these systems.

The OECD are concerned that company objectives are not set against any outside environmental standards.

Trade Unions are concerned that there is no requirement for consultation.

Developing countries feel that excluded from the whole process and are worried the standards will be a costly barrier to trade for them.