Which of the following is an example of a quality standard?

ISO 14001:1996 is an example of a quality standard because it is a globally recognized framework for an effective environmental management system (EMS). This standard outlines the requirements for organizations to enhance their environmental performance, comply with regulations, and continually improve their processes. Its standardized approach helps businesses manage their environmental responsibilities systematically, ensuring they meet both legal and voluntary obligations.

In contrast, the other options represent documents that provide guidelines, procedures, or governance but do not set quality standards in the same way. A quality policy manual outlines an organization's commitment to quality but does not define the metrics or benchmarks for assessing quality. An operational procedures document specifies how tasks should be performed, while an employee handbook serves more as a guide for employee behavior and company policies. While all these documents play crucial roles in quality management, they do not embody the standardized benchmarks that a quality standard such as ISO 14001:1996 provides.