The Standards cover the entire life cycle of operations, from exploration and planning through to operation and closure (decommissioning, remediation and rehabilitation) and apply to all BHP Billiton sites and operations throughout the world, including: � facilities and activities (from exploration through to closure and rehabilitation) that are owned or operated by BHP Billiton � development projects � mergers � acquisitions � divestments � major activities by contractors on our sites or under our management.