This part of ISO 5667 provides guidance for the sampling of sediments in marine areas for analyses of their physical and chemical properties for monitoring purposes and environmental assessments. It encompasses: — sampling strategy; — sampling devices; — observations made and information obtained during sampling; — handling sediment samples; — packaging and storage of sediment samples. This part of ISO 5667 does not provide guidelines for data treatment and analysis which are available from other references (see the Bibliography). This part of ISO 5667 is not intended to give guidance for sampling of freshwater sediments.