ISO 14001 Auditor Training – What capabilities does the internal auditor need to have?

Author: Punyam Academy

If you are ISO 14001 Certified, then you will understand the importance of the internal audit function in both getting the EMS ready for audit, and maintaining the standards of performance after the audit itself.

As one of the key functions within the Environmental Management System, the internal ISO 14001 audit can identify gaps in performance or process as well as non-compliance and the standard itself. The effectiveness of the internal audit itself is depending on the expertise and knowledge of the person appointed to conduct the audit itself.

Following are the capabilities should ISO 14001 internal auditors should have,

There are many skills, capabilities, and qualifications that are helping a person to become a successful ISO 14001 internal auditor, and it is a commonly held belief in the business community that a combination of all three categories is helping an auditor become effective. Here are the attributes that in detail below:

  • Formal training: Formal auditor training can assist in giving your auditor a foundation for becoming an effective internal auditor. Employees can tackle an online ISO 14001 auditor training course, which will give them an excellent foundation to develop their skills.
  • Education: Though not considered mandatory for a position like this, people with qualifications in some disciplines may prove more effective ISO 14001 auditors than others – for example – the disciplines and education gained to attain these jobs may be more conducive to auditing skills than others.
  • Capabilities: Employees who has certain skills again may be more effective auditors than others. People who perform stock counts or design complex products may have a superior eye for detail than individuals who work in more creative fields, for example. It may pay to consider this particular personality trait when considering a candidate for internal audit training.
  • Personality: As indicated above, certain people may have better personalities than others for personality task. As well as attention to detail, it pays to have an internal ISO 14001 auditor who is curious and questions things. The ISO 14001 auditor training is also required for being personable and an effective communicator, too, as this function will require a great deal of contact with other employees and EMS stakeholders with no doubts.
  • Related Knowledge: Obviously, having knowledge of the ISO 14001 standard is essential to the internal audit function in terms of ensuring your EMS meets all standard compliances. Also, the internal auditor will be very much more effective at this element if he/she had knowledge of the internal process, and all related inputs and outputs.
  • Experience: Experience stands to reason that experience with the internal audit function, company processes in general, and similar elements in previous roles can help the auditor be efficient. An experienced employee will tend to have a limit over a new employee when analysing the critical issues for examination at internal audit.
  • Here is the blog link in the source that shows If you want get certified ISO 14001, then you must understand the importance of the internal audit function in both getting the EMS ready for audit, and maintaining the standards of performance after the audit itself.

    Source: https://ems14001consultant.wordpress.com/