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 or maintained for a particular environmental component and function. The different environmental activities have different concerns and therefore different standards.