The ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 series of International Standards emphasise the importance of auditing as a management tool for monitoring and verifying the effective implementation of an organisation's policy for quality and/or environmental management.

A Quality or Environmental Audit is a systematic, independent examination of a quality or environmental management system. These audits are typically performed at defined intervals and ensure that the organisation has clearly defined internal quality or environmental monitoring procedures linked to effective action. The checking determines if the management system complies with applicable regulations or standards.

It is not enough to put a quality or environmental system into place; it must be tested on a regular basis, to ensure it is working, . . . . . . . . . . . . AUDITING.

The checks will include:

• The management system documentation; does it adequately define the needs of the business?


• The documented procedures and processes; are they practical, understood and being followed?


• The training; is it adequate?

The timing and frequency of audits will vary depending on the importance of a particular part of the system but is predetermined and recorded. The audits are carried out by responsible persons independent of the activity being audited.

It is useful to have an audit programme spanning a set period.

The results of audits must be documented and should include the following:

• The non-conformities found;


• The corrective action required;


• The agreed time for corrective action to be carried out.

Persons conducting audits should be properly trained to carry out the task objectively and effectively. Clearly, it is essential that everyone carrying out internal auditing should audit to the same standard.

Quality Matters has been providing these certificated courses since 1992 and are
designed to provide professional training in the principles and practice of audits of management systems for compliance with ISO 9001:2000, ISO14001:2004 and other standards.

The methodology employed is that set out in the Standard for quality and environmental management systems auditing ISO 19011:2002

The course is not IRCA registered but meets the training requirements of all the certification bodies for competence of Internal Auditors

Delegates who successfully complete the course will have sufficient knowledge of, and skills in, audit techniques to carry out internal audits of quality and/or environmental systems in their own organisations.

The twice yearly courses (April and November) are run locally in Colchester, Essex but bespoke courses can be arranged to be run in-house.

Next course 20 + 21 November 2008

For details and booking on this cost effective course, please see our Internal Audior Course page

Labels: Environmental Auditors, Internal Quality, Training