ISO 35103:2017 gives requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that environmental monitoring in the offshore Arctic region is fit for purpose. The Arctic region includes the territory lying to the North of the Arctic Circle (Latitude 66°33′45.8″). This document can be applied to sub-Arctic locations which experience Arctic-like conditions and contain relevant components of a cold-climate ecosystem.

ISO 35103:2017 is applicable to all Arctic oil and gas operations from licence block acquisition through exploration, engineering design, construction, commissioning, operation, decommissioning and restoration. It covers the offshore or maritime environment, including for the purposes of this document, the fully marine and estuarine waters of the Arctic, whether frozen or ice-free. The environment includes all relevant physical, chemical and biological components. Monitoring methods for onshore (terrestrial) environments are not covered in this document, although onshore environments are included where monitoring is required at onshore locations in relation to an offshore development.

ISO 35103:2017 covers both monitoring of environmental aspects for normal, abnormal and emergency conditions, and monitoring of environmental impacts. It includes monitoring in near-field, far-field, transboundary and regional scales, but does not include global environmental monitoring.