Dates and Venues

Learn how to perform internal and external audits of an environmental management system (EMS) against the requirements of ISO 14001, with this IEMA, CQI and IRCA certified ISO 14001 Lead Auditor training course – ID 2250.

This 5-day course gives delegates the skills and confidence to plan, conduct, report and follow up EMS audits. By the end of the course attendees will be able to:

  • audit to assess conformance with ISO 14001 requirements
  • identify whether the EMS is effectively implemented and maintained
  • contribute to the continual improvement of the EMS

The course is built around a central case study that simulates a site audit, giving students practical experience in tackling audit tasks. Workshops, discussions and interactive tutorials cover important topics such as risk-based auditing, assessing environmental aspects and impacts, and EMS nonconformity writing.

Delegates are assessed through a combination of continuous assessment during the course and an online exam after the event.

This is a key course for those involved in auditing an environmental management system (EMS). It will be of benefit to a wide range of job roles and tasks, including those responsible for:

  • undertaking internal audits, supplier audits and certification audits
  • leading environmental management system (EMS) audits
  • managing EMS audits
  • ensuring EMS conformance and continual improvement
  • managing EMS maintenance

The course is also of value for career progression, offering essential certified steps towards becoming an IRCA EMS auditor and IEMA registered lead auditor.

Delegates do need an appreciation of ISO 14001 and its requirements before attending this course. For those with little or no prior knowledge, we recommend that they first book onto our Introduction to ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems training course. We offer a discount of £100 when booking this course and the Introduction to ISO 14001 EMS together. Click here to learn more about prior knowledge requirements.

Course topics include:

  • ISO 14001 requirements
  • auditing concepts and standards
  • auditing principles, techniques and responsibilities
  • stage 1 and stage 2 audits
  • audit stages
    • planning – defining the audit scope, preparing audit plans and checklists
    • conducting the audit – opening meeting, senior management meeting
    • reporting – audit report writing and EMS nonconformity writing
    • follow up – evaluate corrective actions
  • recommendations for certification or reassessment
  • life cycle concepts and life cycle assessments
  • sustainability and organisational strategy
  • environmental aspects and impacts
  • environmental legislation
  • environmental objectives, environmental policy and continual improvement

This agenda is indicative of the topics and interactive group work, in the form of workshops, discussions and role play, that your tutor will guide you through on this 5-day course.

  • Day 1
    • WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
    • Module 1 Icebreaker
    • Module 2 Background to Management Systems
    • Module 3 Requirements of ISO 14001:2015
    • Exercise 1 Your Organisation’s Context
    • LUNCH
    • Module 4 Pre-course Questionnaire
    • Module 5 Sustainability and Organisational Strategy
    • Module 6 Auditing Concepts and Standards
    • Module 7 Audit Stages
    • Module 8 Auditing Principles and Responsibilities
    • Exercise 2 Auditor Behaviours
    • Briefing for evening study
    • CLOSE
  • Day 2
    • Module 9 Environmental Aspects Identification
    • Workshop: Identifying Environmental Aspects and Impacts
    • Module 10 Documented Information
    • Workshop: Audit Documentation
    • Module 11 Environmental Legislation
    • Workshop: Identifying Legislation
    • Module 12 Site Tour – Audit Plan Review
    • LUNCH
    • Workshop: Site Tour
    • Module 13 Detailed Planning – Audit Plans/Checklists
    • Workshop: Checklist Preparation
    • Module 14 Environmental Aspects, Assessment of Significance
    • Briefing for evening study
    • CLOSE
  • Day 3
    • Module 14 Environmental Aspects and Impacts Assessment
    • Module 15 Environmental Objectives & Policy; Continual Improvement
    • Module 16 External & Internal Communications; Environmental Statements
    • Module 17 EMS Nonconformities
    • Exercise 3 Identifying Nonconformities
    • Module 18 Audit meetings
    • Module 19 Senior Management Interview – Preparation
    • LUNCH
    • Module 19 Senior Management Interview – Role-play and Feedback
    • Module 20 Case Study: Part 1
    • Module 21 Auditing – Considerations, Techniques and Challenges
    • Module 22 EMS Nonconformity Writing
    • Briefing for evening study
    • CLOSE
  • Day 4
    • Module 23 Case Study: Part 2
    • Module 24 Case Study: Part 3
    • LUNCH
    • Module 24 Case Study: Part 3 Continued
    • Module 25 Course Closing Process
    • Module 26 Audit Reporting
    • Module 27 Closing Meetings
    • Module 28 Analysis of Case Study Findings and Preparation for Closing Meeting
    • Module 29 Individual Audit Reports
    • Briefing for evening study
    • CLOSE
  • Day 5
    • Module 30 Individual NCRs
    • Module 31 Closing Meeting – Preparation
    • Module 31 Closing Meeting – Role-play and Feedback
    • LUNCH
    • Action plan for exam preparation
    • Course Review and Evaluation
    • CLOSE

At the end of the IEMA, CQI & IRCA certified ISO 14001 Lead Auditor training course delegates will be able to:

  • plan, develop and undertake an EMS audit against ISO 14001, in accordance with ISO 19011
  • assess compliance with ISO 14001, identifying non-conformances, corrective actions and opportunities for improvement
  • explain the purpose of an EMS and the benefits of improving environmental performance for the business and society
  • define the roles and responsibilities of an auditor
  • understand the 3rd party certification process

Upon successful completion, delegates will gain points towards IEMA Environmental Auditor registration.  The course also satisfies the training requirements to become an IRCA EMS Lead Auditor. Delegates will receive an IEMA Lead Environmental Auditor certificate and a CQI & IRCA ISO 14001 Lead Auditor certificate.

ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Certificate