To determine environmental aspects, an organization needs to identify how its activities, products, or services have or may have an interaction with the environment.

Note: Interactions with the environment can happen during normal and abnormal conditions, during emergencies, and a life cycle perspective should be considered (so don't forget your suppliers, subcontractors, clients, consumers, and users).

Note: Organizations should consider environmental aspects that they can control, direct environmental aspects, or may influence, indirect environmental aspects.
Note: The organization should also keep a register of the environmental aspects, which is kept up to date and takes into account planned new or modified activities, products, or services.

Examples:
Company A manufactures paint. Among the determined environmental aspects they listed:
- Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): During the paint production process, the release of VOCs can have significant environmental impacts. These compounds contribute to air pollution and can harm human health and ecosystems.
- Waste Generation and Disposal: Paint production can generate various waste materials, including leftover paint, packaging waste, and cleaning agents. Proper management of these wastes is crucial to prevent pollution and minimize environmental impacts.
- Energy Consumption: The paint production process often requires significant energy inputs, such as for mixing, grinding, and drying processes. Managing energy consumption becomes an important environmental aspect for the company to address.
- Water Usage and Discharge: Paint production typically involves using water for various purposes, including mixing, cleaning, and waste treatment. The company needs to consider the environmental aspect of water usage and discharge.
- Raw Material Selection and Sourcing: The choice of raw materials used in paint production can have significant environmental implications. For example, using environmentally friendly or sustainably sourced raw materials can reduce the overall environmental impact of the paint.

Company B is a service company specializing in window cleaning. Among the determined environmental aspects they listed:
- Chemical Usage and Disposal: Using cleaning agents and chemicals during window cleaning can have environmental implications.
- Water Consumption: Window cleaning typically involves using water for rinsing and cleaning.
- Waste Generation: Window cleaning can generate waste materials, such as used cleaning cloths, squeegees, and packaging.
- Transportation Emissions: The transportation activities associated with window cleaning, such as traveling to different client locations, contribute to environmental aspects related to emissions.
- Noise Pollution: Window cleaning operations can generate noise, mainly if high-pressure cleaning equipment or power tools are used. The company needs to consider the environmental aspect of noise pollution and its potential impact on local communities and ecosystems.