Describes the basic quality management elements needed to effectively conduct environmental programs. The selection of appropriate elements in this Standard, and the extent to which these elemets are adopted and applied to environmental programs, will depend upon the specific environmental activities being performed and the needs of the customer. This standard is intended to be a guide for the preparation of a program that satisfies the unique mission of the organization using the Standard. This standard should be used to develop specific management systems and detailed requirements for the needed quality functions and activities to support the environmental programs of the organization adequately. The process of planning, implementing,and assessing these management systems is called quality management and the product of this process is called the quality system.