What are the best practices for conducting environmental audits?

1 Define the scope and objectives

The first step in conducting an environmental audit is to define the scope and objectives of the audit. The scope should specify what aspects of the organization's environmental management system, operations, facilities, and projects will be audited, and what standards, criteria, and indicators will be used to evaluate them. The objectives should state what the audit aims to achieve, such as verifying compliance, identifying gaps, evaluating effectiveness, or providing recommendations. The scope and objectives should be aligned with the organization's environmental policy and goals, and communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

2 Plan and prepare the audit

The second step in conducting an environmental audit is to plan and prepare the audit. This involves selecting and training the audit team, developing the audit plan and checklist, scheduling the audit activities, and informing the auditee of the audit details. The audit team should consist of qualified and experienced auditors who are independent and impartial. The audit plan should outline the audit scope, objectives, criteria, methodology, timeline, roles, and responsibilities. The audit checklist should cover the key questions and topics that the audit team will address during the audit. The audit activities should include document review, site inspection, interviews, and observations.

3 Conduct the audit

The third step in conducting an environmental audit is to conduct the audit. This involves following the audit plan and checklist, collecting and analyzing evidence, identifying and recording findings, and communicating with the auditee. The audit team should apply the audit criteria and indicators to evaluate the auditee's environmental performance and compliance, and use various methods and sources of evidence to verify the auditee's claims and statements. The audit team should identify and record any non-conformities, weaknesses, strengths, or opportunities for improvement that they find during the audit. The audit team should also communicate with the auditee throughout the audit process, and provide feedback and clarification as needed.

4 Report the audit results

The fourth step in conducting an environmental audit is to report the audit results. This involves preparing and presenting the audit report, and ensuring that the report is accurate, clear, concise, and objective. The audit report should summarize the audit scope, objectives, criteria, methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The audit report should also highlight the auditee's environmental performance and compliance, and any non-conformities, weaknesses, strengths, or opportunities for improvement that were identified during the audit. The audit report should be presented to the auditee and other relevant stakeholders, and any questions or comments should be addressed.

5 Follow up on the audit actions

The fifth step in conducting an environmental audit is to follow up on the audit actions. This involves monitoring and verifying the implementation and effectiveness of the corrective and preventive actions that were agreed upon by the auditee and the auditor. The auditee should provide evidence of how they have addressed the audit findings and recommendations, and the auditor should evaluate whether the actions have resolved the issues and improved the environmental performance and compliance. The auditor should also provide feedback and support to the auditee, and document the follow-up results.

6 Review and improve the audit process

The sixth and final step in conducting an environmental audit is to review and improve the audit process. This involves evaluating the audit process, identifying the lessons learned, and applying the best practices and improvements for future audits. The auditor and the auditee should assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of the audit process, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that they encountered. The auditor and the auditee should also share the best practices and improvements that they learned from the audit, and incorporate them into their environmental management system and audit program.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?