Overview of Environmental Auditing

The Procedure of Environmental Auditing

The following steps mentioned below state the general procedure for conducting any type of Environmental Auditing –

• Structuring a plan for the audit, which needs to include activities that need to be conducted along with a plan for the responsibilities required to be fulfilled for the success of the applicable activities.
• Reviewing the applicant company’s Environmental Protection Policy along with the applicable regulations to be maintained in accordance with the State and National Laws.
• Gathering of information and all relevant data.
• Evaluating the overall performance of the company.
• Identifying the zones that require being focused on improvement.
• Submitting the Report of the Audit conducted to the appropriate management.

Phases of Environmental Auditing

The following stages mentioned below are the various phases of Environmental Auditing –

• Pre–Audit Phase
• Audit Phase
• Post­–Audit Phase

The Procedure of the Pre­–Audit Phase

The following steps mentioned below state the procedure for preparation of the Pre–Auditing Phase –

• Forming an Auditing Team
• Constructing an Audit Plan
• Reviewing of the following documents –

1. Permit Applications and the granted Permits
2. Record of Production of the applicable Industry
3. Reports
4. Report in case of any prior audits conducted along with the proof of the corrective actions taken and the latest status of the issues identified from prior auditing

• Preparation of the list of possible questions or queries that can be demanded by the auditors, along with follow–ups in regard to prior audits conducted
• Preparation of any additional documents that can be demanded by the auditors
• Duly filing the “Disclosure of Violation Table” of all the issues that are identified

The Procedure of the Audit Phase

The following steps mentioned below state the procedure for preparation of the Auditing Phase –

• Established the ground rules
• Determining the solution for the issues that are identified
• Conducting regular meetings to document the latest data
• Evaluating the following documents –
• Environmental Policies
• Compliance Measures
• Training Reports
• Control, Monitoring, and Storing Records of Air, Water, Waste, and Noise Pollution
• Protocols set for Emergency Response Process
• Response to environmental–related complaints
• Evaluation of documents to be in legally binding, consistent and up–to–date
• Conducting Inspection of the Site premises.
• Evaluating if the Operations are being conducted in accordance with the Compliance Measures
• Collection of Samples if required
• Cross-Examining the EHS Personnel, Operations, Management, Maintenance and Policies
• Identifying concerning issues
• Conducting a Closing Meeting enlisting all the issues identified, then discussing and developing corrective actions necessary to be taken

The Procedure of the Post–Audit Phase

The following steps mentioned below state the procedure for preparation of the Post–Auditing Phase –

• Preparation of the “Environmental Audit Report” and the “Disclosure of Violations Form”
• Enlisting the identified issues and areas of concern
• Enlisting Actions that are taken and enquiring follow–ups in relation to concerned topics