Page 1 of 187
NEBOSH Diploma Unit B - Revision-
Questions and Answers
Q1. Which of the following best defines the 'Precautionary
Principle' in environmental management?
a) Action must be taken to prevent harm only after scientific
certainty is established.
b) Lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason
to postpone cost-effective measures to prevent environmental
degradation.
c) The polluter must pay for the cost of remediation regardless
of scientific evidence.
d) Environmental protection must always take precedence over
economic growth.
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Answer: b
Rationale: The Precautionary Principle (Rio Declaration 1992)
states that where there are threats of serious or irreversible
damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a
reason for postponing cost-effective measures.
Q2. What is the primary purpose of an Environmental
Management System (EMS) according to ISO 14001:2015?
a) To eliminate all environmental aspects of an organization
b) To provide a framework for protecting the environment and
responding to changing conditions
c) To reduce the cost of waste disposal
d) To comply with all local planning laws
Answer: b
Rationale: ISO 14001:2015 clause 0.2 states the purpose is
to provide a framework for environmental protection and
balance socio-economic needs.
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Q3. In the context of 'Plan-Do-Check-Act' (PDCA), what activity
occurs during the 'Act' phase?
a) Setting environmental objectives
b) Implementing operational controls
c) Monitoring and measuring key characteristics
d) Taking actions for continual improvement
Answer: d
Rationale: PDCA: Plan (objectives/processes), Do
(implementation), Check (monitoring/measurement), Act
(improvement actions).
Q4. Which of the following is a direct requirement of the
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations
2016?
a) Appointment of a qualified environmental manager
b) Obtaining a permit for a small-scale office generator
c) Publishing an annual sustainability report
d) Operating a regulated facility under permit conditions
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Answer: d
Rationale: Regulations require any 'regulated facility' (e.g.,
waste operations, installations) to have an environmental
permit and comply with its conditions.
Q5. What is meant by 'Best Available Techniques' (BAT)?
a) The cheapest technique that achieves some emission
reduction
b) The most effective and advanced stage of development of
activities and methods economically viable
c) Any technique approved by the local authority
d) The technique with the lowest carbon footprint
Answer: b
Rationale: BAT is defined under Industrial Emissions Directive
(IED) – most effective to prevent/reduce emissions,
economically and technically viable.
Q6. A company decides to go beyond legal compliance and
adopt a 'beyond compliance' approach. This is most closely
NEBOSH Diploma Unit B - Revision-
Questions and Answers
Q1. Which of the following best defines the 'Precautionary
Principle' in environmental management?
a) Action must be taken to prevent harm only after scientific
certainty is established.
b) Lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason
to postpone cost-effective measures to prevent environmental
degradation.
c) The polluter must pay for the cost of remediation regardless
of scientific evidence.
d) Environmental protection must always take precedence over
economic growth.
,Page 2 of 187
Answer: b
Rationale: The Precautionary Principle (Rio Declaration 1992)
states that where there are threats of serious or irreversible
damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a
reason for postponing cost-effective measures.
Q2. What is the primary purpose of an Environmental
Management System (EMS) according to ISO 14001:2015?
a) To eliminate all environmental aspects of an organization
b) To provide a framework for protecting the environment and
responding to changing conditions
c) To reduce the cost of waste disposal
d) To comply with all local planning laws
Answer: b
Rationale: ISO 14001:2015 clause 0.2 states the purpose is
to provide a framework for environmental protection and
balance socio-economic needs.
,Page 3 of 187
Q3. In the context of 'Plan-Do-Check-Act' (PDCA), what activity
occurs during the 'Act' phase?
a) Setting environmental objectives
b) Implementing operational controls
c) Monitoring and measuring key characteristics
d) Taking actions for continual improvement
Answer: d
Rationale: PDCA: Plan (objectives/processes), Do
(implementation), Check (monitoring/measurement), Act
(improvement actions).
Q4. Which of the following is a direct requirement of the
Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations
2016?
a) Appointment of a qualified environmental manager
b) Obtaining a permit for a small-scale office generator
c) Publishing an annual sustainability report
d) Operating a regulated facility under permit conditions
, Page 4 of 187
Answer: d
Rationale: Regulations require any 'regulated facility' (e.g.,
waste operations, installations) to have an environmental
permit and comply with its conditions.
Q5. What is meant by 'Best Available Techniques' (BAT)?
a) The cheapest technique that achieves some emission
reduction
b) The most effective and advanced stage of development of
activities and methods economically viable
c) Any technique approved by the local authority
d) The technique with the lowest carbon footprint
Answer: b
Rationale: BAT is defined under Industrial Emissions Directive
(IED) – most effective to prevent/reduce emissions,
economically and technically viable.
Q6. A company decides to go beyond legal compliance and
adopt a 'beyond compliance' approach. This is most closely
