Course description
A practical, workshop-style course that equips you to plan, conduct, report, and follow up internal audits of an ISO 14001 EMS. You’ll apply process- and risk-based auditing, use effective sampling and interviewing techniques, write clear nonconformity statements with supporting evidence, evaluate root causes and corrective actions, and manage opening and closing meetings and audit reports. We also cover auditing environmental aspects/impacts, compliance obligations, emergency preparedness, contractors/outsourced processes, life-cycle thinking, and remote/hybrid auditing.
What you’ll learn
- Translate ISO 14001 requirements into practical audit criteria across the EMS
- Build an audit program and plan: scope, objectives, team, timetable, and checklists
- Use interviews, document review, and sampling to gather objective evidence
- Write clear findings (conformity, nonconformity, opportunities) tied to requirements and evidence
- Facilitate opening/closing meetings and deliver concise, decision-ready audit reports
- Apply root cause tools (e.g., 5 Whys, cause-and-effect) and verify corrective actions for effectiveness
- Audit higher-risk areas: significant aspects, compliance evaluation, change management, and emergencies
- Integrate remote auditing techniques and maintain auditor impartiality and competence
Who should attend
- EMS coordinators, environmental/HSE practitioners, and sustainability leads
- Operations, maintenance, and facilities supervisors participating in audits
- Quality/IMS managers integrating 14001 with other ISO systems
- New and practicing internal auditors seeking a structured refresh
- Consultants supporting EMS gap assessments or pre-certification readiness
Recommended
- Foundational knowledge of ISO 14001 or completion of an EMS fundamentals course
- Basic understanding of environmental aspects/impacts and compliance obligations
- Comfort with spreadsheets and evidence review (records, logs, monitoring data)
- Awareness of the country/province regulatory context and reporting programs
