ISO 14001:2015 specifies the requirements for an environmental management system that an organization can use to improve its environmental performance. ISO 14001:2015 is intended for use by an organization wishing to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic way, contributing to the environmental pillar of sustainability. ISO 14001:2015 helps an organization achieve the intended results of an environmental management system that is valuable for the environment, the organization itself and interested parties. In line with the organization's environmental policy, the intended outcomes of an environmental management system include the following:

- Improving environmental performance;
- Fulfillment of compliance obligations;
- Achievement of environmental objectives.
ISO 14001:2015 applies to any organization, regardless of size, type and nature, and applies to the environmental aspects of activities, products and services that the organization determines it can control or influence given a life cycle perspective.

ISO 14001:2015 does not specify specific environmental performance criteria.
ISO 14001:2015 can be used in whole or in part for the systematic improvement of environmental management. However, claims of conformity to ISO 14001:2015 cannot be accepted if all of its requirements are fulfilled without including and excluding the requirements of ISO 14001:2015 in an organization's environmental management system, which specifies the requirements of an environmental management system that an organization can use to improve its environmental performance. ISO 14001:2015 is intended for use by an organization wishing to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic way, contributing to the environmental pillar of sustainability.

ISO 14001:2015 helps an organization achieve the intended results of an environmental management system that is valuable to the environment, the organization itself and interested parties. In line with the organization's environmental policy, the intended outcomes of an environmental management system include the following: - Improving environmental performance; - Meeting compliance obligations; - Achieving environmental objectives.