Independent Auditing
Auditing environmental management systems is an activity where the management system is systematically examined to ensure it is being implemented effectively and to identify areas for improvement. Audits can be performed using internal resources or external independent auditors. Trident Environment is able to assist you with the following aspects of auditing:
- Auditing against ISO 14001
- Auditing Programmes to ISO 19011
Auditing against ISO 14001
ISO 14001 (Australian context – AS/ NZS ISO 14001: 2016) is the international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) that was adopted by Australia and New Zealand, replacing the older 2004 version. The standard sets out the requirements for an environmental management system which is usually audited at least annually. Auditing ensures your EMS is working effectively and remains operative in mitigating your environmental risks.
Trident Environment’s Principal is accredited by Exemplar Global as a Lead Environmental Auditor and can assist your organisation with any level of audit you require including internal, external and independent audits. All audits are conducted in accordance with ISO 19011: 2018. Our long experience in environmental management across diverse industries means we can comprehensively assess the suitability and implementation of an organisation’s EMS and can report specific improvements back to the auditee.
This type of audit examines the compliance between:
- The organisation’s Environmental Management System (EMS) and the ISO 14001 international standard
- The organisation’s level of compliance with their Environmental Management System (specifically the mitigations prescribed by that EMS)
The audit may uncover areas that require improvement to make the organisation fully compliant with the EMS and thus ISO 14001.
Where an organisation may not have a commercial or contractual need to have an ISO accredited EMS, auditing may still be undertaken. The EMS should still detail the frequency of auditing required (internal or external). Naturally, the criteria of such audits would be limited to the organisation’s compliance with their EMS only.
Audit Programmes to ISO 19011
For enterprise-level environmental management systems, an Audit Programme is required that complies with ISO 19011: 2018. In other circumstances where your EMS would be audited externally, this Audit Programme may be required by your Planning Approval.
Audit Programmes should cover objectives, risks and opportunities, a core audit schedule, implementation, monitoring, reporting, review and improvement. Trident is able to provide a professionally developed Audit Programme which not only complies with the international standard, but is also custom-made to your organisation’s specific needs and scale.
An audit programme is an overarching document which provides the information necessary to implement a wider structured approach of auditing management systems for an entire organisation or project. An audit plan is relevant to an individual audit and sets out the objectives, scope and criteria for that audit. Importantly, the audit plan contains a time schedule (run-sheet) for the audit to ensure the auditor covers the right amount of information over the allocated time.
ISO 14001:2015 deals with the requirements of Environmental Management Systems whereas ISO 19011:2018 provides the guidance and processes to audit such a management system.
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For more information on how Trident may assist you with this service offering, please send us an online enquiry and we will respond within one business day.