The article contains sections titled: 1. Introduction 1.1. Historical Development 1.2. Factors Influencing Companies to Improve Their Environmental Performance 1.3. Scope of This Contribution 2. Environmental Management in Chemical Companies 2.1. Preamble 2.2. Environmental Management Systems 2.3. Environmental Policy 2.4. Organization and Structure 2.4.1. Typical Organization 2.4.2. Staffing of HSE Functions 2.4.3. Employee Motivation and Training 2.4.4. Research and Development 2.5. Standards, Regulations, Monitoring, and Environmental Programs 2.5.1. Register of Standards 2.5.2. Measuring Environmental Performance 2.5.3. Environmental Programs 2.6. Environmental Audits 2.6.1. Definition 2.6.2. The Audit Plan 2.6.3. Environmental Auditors 2.6.4. Audit Methodology and Process 2.6.5. Audit Report and Action Program 2.7. Environmental Management Reviews 3. Environmental Communication 3.1. Environmental Communication: A New Aspect of Management 3.2. Audiences and Vehicles 3.3. The Environmental Report 3.3.1. Audiences 3.3.2. Corporate or Site Reports 3.3.3. Contents of the Report 3.3.4. Links to Environmental Management Systems 3.3.5. Trends 3.4. Stakeholder's Reactions 3.5. Who Communicates? 4. The Impact of Legislation on Environmental Management 4.1. Operating Permits 4.2. Process Safety Legislation 4.3. The EC Eco‐Management and Audit Regulation 4.4. Mandatory Environmental Communication 5. Voluntary Action by Industry 5.1. Internal Statements 5.2. Voluntary Agreements 5.3. Public Commitments 5.4. Responsible Care 5.4.1. Responsible Care; What Is It? 5.4.2. The Guiding Principles 5.4.3. National Programs 5.4.4. The Scope of Responsible Care; Product Stewardship 5.4.5. The Challenges of Responsible Care 6. Standardization and Certification of Environmental Management Systems 6.1. Standards for Environmental Management Systems 6.1.1. Generic or Specific Standards 6.1.2. EMS Standards 6.1.3. The ISO 9000 and 14 000 Standards 6.2. Certification of Environmental Management Standards 6.2.1. Certification of an EMS 6.2.2. Certification Against the EC Regulation 7. International Aspects of Environmental Management 7.1. Environmental Requirements in Different Countries 7.2. Technological Cooperation