ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System (EMS) Lead Auditor

Learning Outcomes:

• Understanding ISO 14001:2015: Lead auditors should have a deep understanding of the ISO 14001:2015 standard, including its requirements, terminology, and development process.
• Auditing Principles: Familiarity with auditing principles, such as the process approach, Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) methodology, and the eight quality management principles.
• Evidence Evaluation: Ability to determine the evidence needed to demonstrate conformity to ISO 14001:2015 during audits.
• Documented Information: Evaluating documented information required by ISO 14001:2015 and understanding the interrelationships between environmental processes, planning, policy, and objectives.
• Audit Preparation: Lead auditors prepare for audits by understanding the auditee’s organizational context, planning audit activities, and ensuring effective audit skills.
• Conducting Audits: Lead auditors perform audits, both internally (first-party) and externally (second-party or third-party). They assess the effectiveness of the EMS and identify areas for improvement.
• Reporting and Follow-Up: After conducting audits, lead auditors prepare audit reports, communicate findings, and follow up on corrective actions.
• Team Management: If leading a team of auditors, they manage audit activities, assign roles, and ensure efficient conduct of the audit process.

Prerequisites:

• This role is suitable for auditors, managers, consultants, technical experts, and expert advisors in environmental management.
• Remember, a skilled lead auditor contributes to the continuous improvement of an organization’s environmental management system, ensuring compliance and sustainable practices.