ISO 14001:2026 Environmental Management Systems Lead Auditing

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:

• Understand the purpose, structure, and requirements of ISO 14001:2026.
• Interpret ISO 14001:2026 requirements from an auditing perspective.
• Understand the principles and guidance of ISO 19011:2018.
• Explain the roles and responsibilities of an auditor and Lead Auditor.
• Plan and manage an EMS audit programme.
• Prepare an audit plan, audit scope, objectives, and criteria.
• Conduct opening and closing meetings.
• Develop effective audit checklists and working documents.
• Apply appropriate audit techniques, including interviewing, observation, and document review.
• Gather, verify, and evaluate objective evidence.
• Identify and classify audit findings.
• Write clear and objective nonconformity statements.
• Lead and manage an audit team.
• Prepare and present an audit report.
• Evaluate corrective actions and conduct audit follow-up activities.
• Apply risk-based thinking throughout the audit process

The benefits

Delegates and organizations will benefit by:

• A comprehensive understanding of ISO 14001:2026 EMS requirements.
• Practical knowledge of EMS auditing principles and techniques.
• The skills required to plan and conduct effective EMS audits.
• Improved ability to identify environmental risks and compliance issues.
• Increased confidence in interviewing auditees and gathering objective evidence.
• The ability to identify and document nonconformities.
• Practical experience in preparing audit plans, checklists, and reports.
• Improved understanding of corrective action and follow-up processes.
• Knowledge of how to lead and manage an audit team.
• Enhanced professional auditing and environmental management competence.
• A foundation for conducting internal, supplier, and external EMS audits, subject to applicable competency and certification requirements.

Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Management Systems and EMS Auditing

• Introduction to Environmental Management Systems
• Purpose and benefits of ISO 14001
• Environmental management principles
• The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle
• Risk-based thinking
• Introduction to EMS auditing
• Types of audits
• First-, second-, and third-party audits
• Roles of auditors and auditees

Module 2: Understanding ISO 14001:2026

An overview and interpretation of the requirements of ISO 14001:2026:

Clause 4 – Context of the Organisation

• Understanding the organisation and its context
• Needs and expectations of interested parties
• Determining the EMS scope
• Environmental Management System processes

Clause 5 – Leadership

• Leadership and commitment
• Environmental policy
• Roles, responsibilities, and authorities

Clause 6 – Planning

• Risks and opportunities
• Environmental aspects and impacts
• Compliance obligations
• Environmental objectives and planning

Clause 7 – Support

• Resources
• Competence
• Awareness
• Communication
• Documented information

Clause 8 – Operation

• Operational planning and control
• Life-cycle perspective
• Emergency preparedness and response

Clause 9 – Performance Evaluation

• Monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation
• Evaluation of compliance
• Internal audit
• Management review

Clause 10 – Improvement

• Nonconformity and corrective action
• Continual improvement

Module 3: Auditing Principles and ISO 19011:2018

• Purpose and application of ISO 19011
• Principles of auditing
• Auditor competence
• Auditor behaviour and professional ethics
• Confidentiality
• Independence and impartiality
• Risk-based auditing
• Audit programme management

Module 4: Audit Planning and Preparation

• Establishing audit objectives
• Defining audit scope
• Determining audit criteria
• Reviewing documented information
• Developing an audit plan
• Allocating audit team responsibilities
• Preparing audit checklists
• Sampling techniques
• Identifying audit risks and opportunities 

Module 5: Conducting the Audit

• Preparing for the audit
• Conducting the opening meeting
• Establishing effective communication
• Interviewing techniques
• Observation techniques
• Reviewing documents and records
• Trace auditing
• Process-based auditing
• Sampling and verification
• Collecting objective evidence
• Managing difficult audit situations

Module 6: Identifying and Evaluating Audit Findings

• Audit evidence
• Audit findings
• Conformities
• Nonconformities
• Observations and opportunities for improvement
• Evaluating the significance of findings
• Writing clear nonconformity statements
• Linking evidence to audit criteria 

Module 7: Lead Auditor Skills and Audit Team Management

• Roles and responsibilities of the Lead Auditor
• Leading an audit team
• Assigning audit responsibilities
• Managing time and resources
• Communication within the audit team
• Resolving audit team issues
• Managing conflicts
• Maintaining impartiality and professionalism

Module 8: Audit Reporting and Closing the Audit

• Reviewing audit findings
• Preparing audit conclusions
• Conducting the closing meeting
• Preparing the audit report
• Communicating findings effectively
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Audit records and documentation

Module 9: Corrective Action and Audit Follow-Up

• Responding to audit findings
• Root cause analysis
• Corrective action planning
• Reviewing corrective action evidence
• Evaluating effectiveness
• Audit follow-up
• Closing nonconformities

Module 10: Practical Lead Auditor Workshop

Participants will apply their knowledge and skills through practical exercises, including:

• ISO 14001 clause interpretation
• Audit planning
• Preparing audit checklists
• Conducting simulated audit interviews
• Gathering and evaluating audit evidence
• Identifying and writing nonconformities
• Conducting opening and closing meetings
• Preparing audit reports
• Evaluating corrective actions
• Leading a simulated audit team

Certification

Delegates will receive a Certificate of:

• Attendance or
• Competency

Assessment

There will be an assessment at the end of the course. 

• Delegates have to complete the assessment with a minimum score of 70% to receive a Certificate of Competence.
• Delegates who score between 60% and 69% will get a second attempt at the assessment. 
• If you fail the second attempt, will need to repurchase the course
• Delegates will receive a Certificate of Attendance regardless of a pass or fail.