This guidance is not legally-binding. It represents a synthesis of the information and experience available to the Commission. It is intended as a summary of the current state of the art with respect to best practice on integrated environmental management. The guidance is not intended to be a rigid set of rules to be followed in all circumstances. The mere fact that there is so much diversity between cities across the EU means that no one solution is applicable nor appropriate for all situations. The guidance should be seen more as a description of the process and a reminder of the key elements that could be.
