Summary
The ESMS Implementation Handbook is for firms who wish to implement a management system in line with the requirements of IFC Performance Standard 1. The Handbook provides step-by-step instructions on how to develop and implement a management system addressing common environmental, occupational health and safety (OHS), labor, and community risks and impacts that companies are likely to face.
Download full publication [PDF]
Translations [PDF]: Français | Español | Português | Türkçe | русский | 简体中文 | عربي
Supplemental information
* denotes documents updated in September 2025
- *ESMS Self-Assessment and Improvement Guide [Excel]: The ESMS Self-Assessment and Improvement Guide (excel versions) contains a questionnaire, maturity matrix and improvement tips to help a company measure the maturity of its management system and develop a plan for improvement.
- *ESMS Toolkit - General [PDF]: The ESMS Toolkit - General provides tools — checklists, templates, and forms — to help you implement your ESMS improvement plan.
- *Risk Identification Tool [Excel]: This tool provides examples of typical risks that can occur in your operations and helps you think about other risks that are specific to your particular operation.
- Environmental & Social Management (ESMS) System Diagnostic Tool for Financial Institutions (FIs): Helps FIs, institutional investors and asset managers assess an ESMS against IFC’s Performance Standard 1 and good market practices.
Related resources:
- Also see ESMS Implementation Handbooks for: Animal Production | Construction | Crop Production | Food & Beverage | Health Care Facilities | Metal Products Manufacturing | Textiles & Apparel
Disclaimer
The environmental and social management system described in this toolkit is based on International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standard 1. However, the process it outlines might not meet all the requirements of Performance Standard 1 or any other IFC Performance Standard. The toolkit aims to show how companies can include environmental and social issues in their management practices to reduce their impact on the environment, their workers, and neighboring communities. The toolkit is provided as is, without any expressed or implied warranties, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or noninfringement. Using this toolkit to develop an environmental and social management system does not imply certification or compliance with any IFC Performance Standards, including Performance Standard 1. It also does not imply IFC endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship.
The toolkit is distributed with the understanding that the authors, the organizations and countries they represent, and the publisher are not providing technical advice, and they distribute this toolkit with that understanding. The toolkit is meant for reference and informational purposes only, and users should not rely on it for operational or any other purposes. Users bear all responsibility and risk when implementing the information in this toolkit. The material is provided in good faith for general guidance, and no liability can be accepted for any loss or expense incurred because of reliance on the information this toolkit contains. Neither IFC nor any member of the World Bank Group will be liable for any damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential, punitive, or exemplary, including but not limited to loss of profits, goodwill, use, data, or other intangible losses (even if IFC was advised of the possibility of such damages) arising from the use or reliance on the publication. The toolkit must not be sold or circulated commercially without IFC’s prior written consent.
IFC does not guarantee or provide any warranties regarding the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, reliability, or usefulness of the content and is not responsible or liable for any such content or your use of it. The views, advice, opinions, and other statements in this toolkit are not reviewed or endorsed by and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of IFC or its Board of Directors, the World Bank or its Executive Directors, or the countries they represent.
