Discover how to conduct internal environmental management systems (EMS) audits against ISO 14001 with this IEMA certified course.

By attending this course, students will:

  • gain a thorough understanding of ISO 14001:2015 and the benefits and implications of an EMS
  • learn how to conduct an audit of an EMS against ISO 14001 to assess its effectiveness
  • help to drive continual improvement

The course uses a combination of interactive tutorials, practical workshops, case studies and role play with real-world environmental examples to enable students to practise their skills.

Assessment is by continuous evaluation and a 1 hour exam on the final day which combines written answers and multiple choice questions.

This 3-day course combines our 1-day Introduction to ISO 14001 and 2-day ISO 14001 Internal Auditor training courses.

This course is suitable for:

  • anyone intending to plan, perform and conduct an environmental management system (EMS) audit
  • those responsible for developing, maintaining and continually improving the EMS
  • managers who need a thorough understanding of ISO 14001 so that they can integrate an EMS into the organisation’s business processes and align it with other business priorities
  • environmental professionals who are new to auditing
  • existing quality, health and safety, or other auditors who wish to understand the requirements of ISO 14001:2015 and how to conduct an effective EMS audit
  • existing IEMA members who would like to extend their knowledge and skills into the field of EMS

This course will include an exploration of topics such as:

  • purpose and benefits of management systems and the high-level structure of ISO 14001, Annex SL
  • requirements of ISO 14001:2015
  • role of internal audits within an EMS
  • the internal audit process, including:
    • audit planning – prioritising environmental risks, assigning audit team members, preparing checklists
    • conducting the audit in line with the audit plan including audit interviews
    • audit reporting – closing meeting and nonconformity report writing
    • follow-up – agreeing corrective actions and ensuring they are effective
  • continual improvement of the EMS
  • identifying environmental aspects and impacts, such as:
    • emissions to air
    • releases to water and land
    • use of raw materials and natural resources
    • use of energy and energy emitted
    • generation of waste
    • use of space
  • environmental legislation

The structure and content of this 3-day training course is illustrated below. Exact timings and order of events may be adjusted by our expert tutors to best suit the group’s needs.

  • Day 1
    • WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
    • Module: Background to Environmental Management Systems
    • Module: EMS and Related Standards
    • Module: Pre-Course Work: ISO 14001 Standard
    • Module: Overview of ISO 14001
    • Module: Context, Scoping and Life Cycle
    • Module: Responsibilities, Competence and Communication
    • Module: Environmental Risks and Opportunities
    • LUNCH
    • Module: Environmental Legislation
    • Workshop: Identifying Applicable Legislation
    • Module: Identification and Assessment of Environmental Aspects and Impacts
    • Workshop: Identification within the Case Study
    • Module: Using an EMS for Improvement
    • Module: Monitoring, Auditing and Corrective Action
    • Module: Documented Information
    • CLOSE
  • Day 2
    • WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
    • Module: Introduction to EMS Auditing
    • Module: The Audit Programme and the Phases in EMS Auditing
    • Module: Audit Roles and Responsibilities
    • Workshop: Selecting Audit Team
    • Module: Initiating the Audit
    • Discussion: Audit Process
    • Module: Audit Preparation
    • Workshop: Audit Planning – Prioritising Environmental Risk
    • LUNCH
    • Workshop: Preparing Checklists for Audit Interviews
    • Module: Conducting the Audit
    • Workshop: Identifying Nonconformities
    • Workshop: Writing Nonconformity Statements
    • Workshop: Introduction to the End of Course Examination
    • Workshop: Preparation for and Conducting Interviews
    • CLOSE
  • Day 3
    • Workshop: Interviewing
    • Module: Audit Reporting and Follow up
    • Workshop: Team Closing Meeting
    • LUNCH
    • Workshop: Exam Preparation
    • Course admin
    • ‘Open Book’ Examination
    • CLOSE

Upon completion of the Internal Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Auditor training course, delegates will be able to:

  • explain the requirements of ISO 14001:2015 and its associated certification process
  • outline the framework of UK environmental law and where current environmental legislation can be found
  • plan, conduct, report and follow up on an internal audit of an EMS against ISO 14001, in line with ISO 19011
  • identify environmental impacts, determine whether they are significant, and consider how they may affect audit priorities
  • identify and manage risks relating to the EMS

Upon successful completion of this course delegates will gain points towards IEMA Environmental Auditor registration and all delegates will receive an IEMA certificate.

IEMA Certified Internal Environmental Management System Auditor Certificate