One of the most crucial decisions a company can make is to hire a manager or environmental specialist for its ISO 14001-certified EMS (Environmental Management System), given the advantages of making wise environmental decisions and the consequences of not doing so, including fines and legal action. Organizations use an Environmental Management System (EMS) as a framework to manage environmental impacts and adhere to legal and regulatory requirements. The most well-known EMS regulation is ISO 14001. Organizations can reduce their environmental impact while continuing to operate profitably thanks to EMS.
Considering the importance of this decision, it is recommended to prepare oneself by compiling a comprehensive list of prerequisites, thereby gaining a clear understanding of the attributes the prospective ISO 14001 auditor must possess. This will not only ensure that the auditor is competent and proficient but also guarantee that your organization is hiring a professional who can aid in accomplishing your objectives and contribute significantly to your enterprise. What specific traits should be sought in this individual? Keep reading this blog!
Evaluating the Characteristics of Your Decision
Regardless of the size or industry of the organization, ISO 14001 can be advantageous. Organizations can use ISO 14001 to manage their environmental impact and enhance their environmental performance. In fact, implementing ISO 14001 might be necessary to do business with some organizations or governments.
The environmental experts from 3rd party audit companies are likely to play a key role in assisting with this goal and all of the tasks that go along with ensuring all of the clauses are met. Let’s examine the ideal characteristics of an ISO 14001 auditor and why they are crucial.
Keeps up with formal qualifications
Whether formal qualifications are necessary or not is typically up to the individual organization, but given the repercussions of failing to comply with the law, this is undoubtedly something that your organization should think about. An auditor with the necessary credentials can be a benefit to your organization, given the increase in colleges and universities offering professional knowledge and expertise in environmental subjects.
Have Strong Knowledge of the ISO 14001:2015 Standard
This is also a significant plus, especially if your EMS is (or will be) certified. Even if this isn’t the case, the standard’s guiding principles can be used to lessen the environmental impact of any organization, making it preferable to have a thorough understanding of ISO 14011:2015.
Commands respect within the company
Environmental professionals are in charge of numerous environmental initiatives and programs and must interact with a wide range of employees and stakeholders. This makes it necessary for them to be able to command respect from other workers to ensure project success, so some assertiveness is preferred.
Has effective communication skills
Communication is a crucial component of any EMS’s operation. The EMS professional will need to be involved in essential communication processes with top management, staff, stakeholders, and, in the case of some large organizations, the media. The auditor must, therefore, be a strong communicator and at ease in giving presentations in front of large crowds. An inspired workforce will perform better than one that isn’t inspired, so it’s best if the auditor can do this with professionalism and enthusiasm.
Has an immense industry knowledge
While hiring a professional auditor with industry knowledge, especially about regulatory compliance issues, is not always possible, doing so can have benefits. Recognizing environmental factors, potential challenges, inherent risks and opportunities, and legislation pertinent to your industry can have immediate advantages and ensure that the auditor has a direct and positive impact. Hiring a professional third-party auditor from a different industry might necessitate a grace period so the auditor can become familiar with the components mentioned above, which could cause results to temporarily decline in the interim. Each organization must decide this for itself after conducting an internal evaluation.
Is result-oriented person
Environmental management is about delivering performance against targets and then ensuring continual improvement. Does your third-party auditor have a track record of success? Do they respond well to discussions of KPI- (key performance indicator) driven performance management? This is a significantly favorable if they are comfortable with this idea and can demonstrate success in EMS management and the provision of ISO 14001:2015 certification.
Possesses the necessary skills to provide EMS training
The auditor should be aware of ISO 19011, as they will be involved in the internal audit process and undoubtedly be involved in understanding and addressing any non-conformances from that process.
Is aware of ISO 19011
The auditor should be aware of ISO 19011, as he or she will be involved in the internal audit process and will undoubtedly be involved in understanding and addressing any non-conformances from that process.
Ensuring The Appropriate Fit for Your Company
Suppose the auditor can demonstrate possession of the majority or entirety of the qualities as mentioned above. In that case, your organization has a high probability of securing a professional to comply with the relevant regulatory framework. It is important to note that you may seek additional attributes in an environmental professional, such as their compatibility with your company culture.
So, consider whether they are on board with the working methods within your company. The ideal auditor will also probably be aware of how a company can save money by performing well in terms of the environment. The most crucial thing to remember is that your EMS is a results-driven management system, and an auditor with a track record of producing results may give you the best chance of accomplishing your goals. Positive outcomes not only help the environment as a whole but also your EMS and organization.
Final Words
When hiring an ISO 14001 auditor for your organization’s EMS, it is important to consider their formal qualifications and everything we have shared in this blog. Quality Audit Solutions, specializing in conducting audits agency, has professional ISO 14001 auditors who can maximize the benefits of your EMS by positively impacting the environment and your organization. We aim to prepare IATF 16949 thoroughly, ISO 9001 and 14001 clients for successful third-party audit results, ensure improvements with consistency, and mitigate risk. Contact us today!