ISO 14001 internal audit checklist

ISO 14001 is the environmental management standard that provides a framework for an organisation looking to manage its environmental responsibilities in a systematic way. As part of this framework, the organisation must undergo regular internal audits to ensure they meet the standard’s requirements.

Here is an overview of the key elements of the ISO 14001 internal audit checklist:

Key areas covered by an ISO 14001 checklist

Context of the organisation

The first element of the ISO 14001 internal audit checklist is assessing the organisation’s context. This means understanding the organisation’s size, structure, products, services, and markets. Additionally, it’s important to understand the legal and regulatory requirements that apply to the organisation’s activities. This information forms the basis for setting environmental objectives and targets. Additionally, it helps auditors identify risks and opportunities that could impact the achievement of those objectives.

Leadership

The second step in conducting an effective ISO 14001 internal audit is to assess the leadership team’s commitment to the environment. This includes looking at how well the leadership team understands the ISO 14001 environmental management system (EMS) objectives. The internal auditor should also evaluate the leadership team’s ability to provide direction and resources for EMS implementation and continual improvement. Furthermore, the auditor should assess the leadership team’s EMS communication within and with external stakeholders. By evaluating these factors, the auditor can get a good sense of the leadership team’s commitment to the EMS objective.

Planning

Without proper planning, an EMS cannot be effectively implemented or maintained. The auditor should check that there is a system in place to review the effectiveness of the EMS and that there are plans to revise the EMS as needed. Additionally, the auditor should check to ensure there are plans to deal with emergencies and that employees are aware of these plans. The auditor should also make sure there are plans to monitor compliance with legal and other requirements.

Support

This step is critical because it ensures that the EMS has the resources it needs to be successful. The first step is to determine what resources are needed. This includes things like personnel, equipment, and financial resources. Once the needs have been determined, the next step is to provide those resources. This may involve hiring new personnel, purchasing new equipment, or allocating financial resources. By providing the necessary resources, the organisation can be confident that the EMS will be able to meet its objectives and continually improve.

Operation

The fifth step focuses on operations. Specifically, the organisation must have processes in place to prevent deviation from the environmental policy, objectives, and compliance obligations. To do this, criteria must be established for the processes and controls implemented to keep everything on track.

Performance evaluation

To comply with this element, organisations must show that they’re monitoring, measuring, analysing, and evaluating their environmental performance. The purpose of this is to help organisations identify any areas where they need to improve their EMS. There are many different ways to do this, but some common methods include conducting audits, reviewing data, and setting goals. By taking a proactive approach to performance evaluation, organisations can ensure that their EMS is always up to par.

Improvement

Last but not least, the internal auditor will check to see if the organisation has identified improvement opportunities and taken necessary actions to help it achieve the intended outcome of its EMS. This may include modifying the EMS to incorporate new technologies or processes, improving communication and training, or revising objectives and goals. This element aims to ensure that the organisation is constantly striving to improve its environmental performance.

There you have it; this checklist covers all the basics of what you need to look for when conducting an ISO 14001 internal audit. By following this checklist, you can be confident that you’re covering all the bases and ensuring that your EMS is up to par.

How to create or use an ISO 14001 checklist

Using an ISO 14001 checklist helps ensure your internal audits are consistent, structured, and aligned with the requirements of the standard. The following steps outline how to use the checklist effectively:

1.     Review the checklist: familiarise yourself with the questions and sections to understand what each part aims to assess.

2.     Plan the audit: determine which areas of your EMS will be reviewed and schedule the audit accordingly.

3.     Gather relevant documentation: collect policies, procedures, records, and other evidence that demonstrate compliance with ISO 14001 requirements.

4.     Engage with employees: discuss processes with relevant staff to verify that documented procedures are being followed in practice.

5.     Record observations: use the checklist to note findings, identify nonconformities, and highlight opportunities for improvement.

6.     Evaluate results: review all observations to determine whether your EMS meets ISO 14001 requirements.

7.     Follow up on actions: address any identified issues by implementing corrective measures and updating documentation as needed.

Why an ISO 14001 internal audit matters

An ISO 14001 internal audit verifies that your Environmental Management System complies with the standard’s requirements and continues to perform as intended. It helps identify risks, opportunities, and areas where improvements can be made, ensuring the organisation remains compliant with environmental regulations and aligned with its objectives. Regular audits also confirm that processes are effective and contribute to the continual improvement of environmental performance.

How can Citation Certification help your business

Are you looking to get ISO 14001 certified? Here’s what we can help with:

Complimentary online training for all clients: we offer complimentary online training courses for our clients that can be accessed by your entire organisation – it’s the best way to gain confidence and knowledge and help you prepare for your audit.

Partner with us to get your business to higher standards: with 30 years of experience, Citation Certification has partnered with thousands of organisations on their certification journey.

Lean on us to access our expertise: feel at ease knowing that our auditing team are supportive, friendly and personable people who are passionate about high standards. They’re locally based and dedicated to delivering high-quality customer care. Have a question or need some guidance on a standard? We’re always available to answer any questions you have. Contact us here.