What does “context” mean?

The first requirement in the revised standard is that the organization determine its context.

What does this mean?

There is no definition of  “context” in ISO/DIS 14001.

According to the dictionary, context is “the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, etc.”  Using this definition, the context of an organization would be the set of circumstances or facts that surround the organization.

Broadly speaking, it is any issue (external or internal) that may impact the organization’s ability to achieve the “intended outcomes” of its environmental management system, including any environmental conditions that may affect the organization.

This includes cultural, social, political, regulatory, financial, technological, economic issues as well as environmental conditions such as resource scarcity, climate change impacts, land use constraints, etc.

In other words – anything and everything.