Changes in environmental auditing resulting from ISO 14000
- Nova Corp., Calgary, Alberta (Canada)
With the adoption of ISO 14000 a significant new element has been introduced into the environmental programs in the workplace. This element is the ISO management system. The management system provides a structure and process to control all aspects of the environmental program, and provide management with the information they need to set priorities and make decisions on the business`s operations. The ISO 14000 management system consists of four elements in a continuous cycle of Plan-Do-Check-Act and it acts as an umbrella process to integrate all the aspects of the company`s environmental management and control system into a cohesive program that provides management with: the information they need to make decisions, a way of verifying that the decisions are having the desired effect, and a process to continuously improve on environmental performance. A significant component of the Check element of the ISO management system cycle is the audit program. This program provides management with information on; the completeness of the environmental programs in place, the adequacy of the resources in place to manage environmental performance, the level of implementation of the environmental programs, and the degree of compliance with the company`s standards and the applicable regulations. The audit program must be managed the same as any other of the components of the environmental program and it is made up of several components, including: Audit Management Process and Resources; Conducting the Audits; Auditor Training; Audit Protocols; Audit Reporting Structure; Corrective Action Development, Reporting and Monitoring; Feedback System; Management Reporting Structure; and Program Quality Assurance. While the audit program is only one element of a complete environmental program, no program is complete without an effective audit function.
- OSTI ID:
- 353581
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-970677--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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