Inscription on the World Heritage List is not easy to accomplish and cannot be arranged by organisations or individuals directly. An international agreement with procedures and criteria applies. To be inscribed as a World Heritage site, a proposed area or structure must meet at least one of ten Criteria through which it demonstrates its outstanding universal significance. The first six criteria relate to cultural heritage, the four remaining criteria relate to natural heritage. Requirements with respect to Authenticity and Integrity must also be met.

World Heritage sites are monitored through periodic reporting once every six years. Reactive monitoring, as it is called, may also apply in special circumstances.