This assessment can be used to prepare for or do an audit against ISO 14001 certification standards. It does not include general ISO 14000 recommendations, only ISO 14001 requirements. The assessor should use this test prior to any self-declaration of compliance or external audit and correct deficiencies beforehand. Corrections and upgrades should be made until the criteria for passing is satisfied.

The test is presented in a question format, with a score based on the answers provided by the user. Questions have differing weight factors, according to relevant importance. The questions are based on suggestions made by W. Lee Kuhre in his book "ISO 14010s Environmental Auditing". Mr. W. Lee Kuhre has 25 years of experience in environmental management.

This program calculates the site score by multiplying the weight factor by the site factor chosen by the user. A site that obtains a score over 1500 should receive ISO 14001 certification. A score between 1200 and 1500 should receive conditional certification. A score below 1200 will require a re-test after major improvements in the organization are made.

The most important part of this test to remember is that it is only as good as the honesty with which the questions are answered.