IEMA/IRCA ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor – Environmental Management Systems
Course No. CQI-IRCA 2355
S3IWorld – in association with IQMS Learning UK (an IRCA Approved ATP) – is offering an IRCA‑certified course based on ISO 14001:2015. The Environmental Management System (EMS) is recognized as the leading environmental management standard worldwide. It helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, deliver valuable services, and achieve excellence.
This highly interactive, intensive, and challenging 5‑day environmental management systems training course is designed for individuals who require an in‑depth understanding of auditing techniques and the skills associated with the Lead Auditor role. The course is registered with both the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) and CQI‑IRCA Certified Training.
Duration
5 days – 08:30 to 17:30 (days 1–3), 08:30 to 17:45 (day 4), 08:30 to 16:15 (day 5)
Who Should Attend?
This course satisfies the training requirement for those seeking to register with the CQI and IRCA Certified Training auditing scheme. It is also essential for any serious environmental practitioner, particularly those with primary responsibility for implementing and maintaining their environmental management system and managing an internal audit programme.
The course is also essential for:
- Those required to perform more demanding and extensive company audits (corporate auditing)
- Those who regularly assess the performance of other companies (supplier, contractor, and/or certification auditors)
- Individuals seeking to develop their auditing and environmental skills to a professional level
Prior Knowledge
Attendees are expected to have prior knowledge of the following:
- Environmental management principles and concepts, including the Plan‑Do‑Check‑Act (PDCA) cycle
- Environmental issues, including an appreciation of environmental protection, pollution prevention, and control
- Environmental management terms and definitions
- An appreciation of environmental compliance issues
- Typical structures for environmental management systems, including process‑based systems
- The structure, content, and requirements of ISO 14001:2015
This knowledge can be gained through:
- Previous experience and existing knowledge
- Attending a CQI‑ and IRCA‑certified ISO 14001 training course (or equivalent)
- Reading or self‑study
If you would like to attend our CQI‑ and IRCA‑certified ISO 14001 Foundation course at a discounted price to help prepare for this Lead Auditor course, please contact us.
Course Objectives
The course is designed to help delegates:
- Deliver value‑added audits
- Understand the principles of good environmental management
- Develop their knowledge of environmental management standards
- Lead an audit team
- Understand different environmental audit types and gain practical skills to plan, execute, and report environmental management audits
On completion, delegates will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of an EMS based on ISO 14001:2015 at a level acceptable to certification bodies.
Course Content
- Auditing the requirements of ISO 14001:2015
- Key focus areas for auditing core environmental processes
- Overview of auditing for compliance
- Objectives and types of environmental audits
- Roles and responsibilities of auditors and lead auditors
- Auditor skills and development
- Processes and techniques for planning, conducting, and reporting audits
- Audit follow‑up activities and auditing for continual improvement
- Effective audit planning, execution, and reporting based on current auditing standards
- Identifying valid findings, nonconformities, and corrective action management
- Certification processes (based on ISO 17021) for EMS
What Are the Benefits?
This course is designed not only to help participants perform value‑added audits but also to develop a wider understanding of environmental management system development and implementation. Delegates will gain an understanding of the performance level required for implementing a successfully certified EMS and how to assess against ISO 14001:2015. The course helps develop essential conceptual skills, including risk‑based thinking, continual improvement, life‑cycle thinking, and process‑based approaches.
This course satisfies the formal training requirements for those wishing to register with the IEMA Auditor Registration Scheme and/or with the CQI and IRCA Certified Auditing Scheme.
In‑House Courses
In‑house courses offer better value for money and can be tailored to closely match your specific requirements.
Style of Delivery and Course Leaders
A combination of presentations, guided exercises, and a highly interactive role‑play exercise involving a simulated audit makes this course both beneficial and enjoyable for participants.
Attendees are assessed on their knowledge and understanding throughout the course and must also sit a 2‑hour examination to demonstrate their level of understanding upon completion.
Our course leaders have substantial experience in the field of environmental management system design and implementation. They are qualified and experienced auditors with extensive practical management experience across a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, service and utilities, and local and national government.
Certification
Delegates completing the course – including the online examination set by CQI‑IRCA UK – will be awarded both a CQI and IRCA Certified Training certificate (2355) and an IEMA Certified Training certificate.