Environmental standard

An environmental standard is a policy guideline that regulates the effect of human activity upon the environment. Standards may specify a desired state (e.g. lake pH should be between 6.5 and 7.5) or limit alterations (e.g. no more than 50% of natural forest may be damaged).

 

Environmental standards are a set of quality conditions that are adhered to or maintained for a particular environmental component and function. The different environmental activities have different concerns and therefore different standards.

The three main types of environmental standards, ambient, emission, and technology, work together to help regulate the impact human activity have on the environment. The regulation of ambient pollutants in the air ensures that the air remains breathable and does not further deteriorate. Emission standards are enacted to control the amount of pollutants that are released into the air in order to maintain air quality. Technological standards are put in place to encourage progressiveness across different industries.