Since the entry into force of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Agreement concerning its application, on November 16, 1994, the International Seabed Authority has been primarily concerned with the approval of regulations for the exploration of minerals from the International Seabed Area ¾ “Mining Code” ¾ and the granting of exploration licenses. The time is approaching when the first exploitation activities begin and uncertainty regarding their possible environmental impact is focusing the negotiations of the new regulation on the exploitation of minerals. This study addresses the main challenges that the design of the Authority's environmental policy poses in order to guarantee the effective protection of the marine environment and the sustainable exploitation of the resources of the Area, considered a common heritage of mankind.