Five Main Steps in the ISO 14001 Internal Audit Report Process

Many organizations view internal audits as just a formality, but the truth is that most non-conformities and gaps are uncovered during these audits. In fact, ISO 14001:2015 specifically requires organizations to conduct internal audits as outlined in clause 9.2.

An ISO 14001 internal audit report plays a crucial role in ensuring your EMS is effective, compliant, and continuously improving.

There are several approaches to conducting an ISO 14001 audit. In this blog, we'll break down the five key steps of the ISO 14001 internal audit report to make the auditing process simpler and more manageable for you.

What is the Purpose of Conducting an ISO 14001 Internal Audit?

ISO 14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems (EMS) designed to help organisations reduce their environmental impact and operate sustainably. Internal auditing of ISO 14001 ensures that your organisation’s environmental processes and policies are effectively implemented and aligned with the standard. 

Conducting an ISO 14001 internal audit is not just about compliance. It's about fostering a culture of sustainability within your organization. It's about demonstrating your commitment to environmental responsibility and building credibility. It's about preparing for the future and enhancing stakeholder trust.

Let’s break down the 5 steps for ISO 14001 internal audit.

Five Main Steps in the ISO 14001 Internal Audit Report Process

From planning the audit to finalizing the report, here is a detailed understanding of conducting ISO 14001 internal audit.

Step 1: Understand the Audit Requirements and Plan the Audit 

The first step in the internal audit process is to thoroughly understand the audit requirements and create a structured plan that aligns with the goals of ISO 14001:2015. The following table outlines the key components of this initial phase, including defining the audit scope, selecting the auditor, and ensuring proper resource allocation and scheduling.

Step 2: Conduct the Audit 

After planning, the audit begins with evaluating the actual implementation of the Environmental Management System (EMS) based on the set criteria.

• Audit the EMS: Review documentation, interview staff, and observe operations to ensure alignment with the EMS and environmental goals.
• Assess Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant environmental laws.
• Evaluate Control Effectiveness: Assess the effectiveness of environmental controls, including waste management and emissions.
• Identify Non-Conformities: Identify areas for improvement or non-compliance, such as inadequate controls or unexecuted processes.

Step 3: Document the findings

During the audit, all findings, including nonconformities, observations, and areas for improvement, must be carefully documented. Each issue should be recorded with evidence, such as process deviations, inadequate controls, or missed requirements. This documentation forms the basis for the audit report and provides a clear record for follow-up.

Get a free consultation with BPRHub’s Documentation Hub to centralize the audit documentation and easily manage compliance documents.

Step 4: Create the Audit Report

The audit report should summarize the findings and compliance status.

• Executive Summary: Provide a concise overview of the audit's purpose, scope, and key findings.
• Audit Findings and Non-Conformities: List audit findings, including non-conformities, strengths, and evidence.
• Compliance and Control Effectiveness: Assess compliance with environmental laws and the effectiveness of controls.
• Reference ISO 14001 Clauses: Include relevant clauses, such as Clause 7.2 (Environmental Objectives) and Clause 8.1 (Operational Planning).
• Recommendations for Improvement: Offer actionable recommendations for addressing non-conformities.

Step 5: Reviewing and Finalising the Report

This ensures that all relevant findings are accurately captured and that the report is ready for presentation to the management.

• Management Review: Management reviews the draft report and discusses the findings and action plans.
• Action Plan: Develop an action plan with deadlines for corrective actions.
• Finalization of the Report: Finalize the report after management feedback and distribute it to stakeholders.
• Follow-Up: Schedule follow-up audits to ensure corrective actions are implemented, promoting continual improvement (Clause 10.3).

Following these steps requires meticulous precision, so organizations incorporate software like BPRHub to minimize error.

BPRHub: Simplify ISO 14001 Internal Audit Report Process

Managing ISO 14001 internal audits can be overwhelming, especially with the complex documentation and compliance requirements. However, with BPRHub, the ISO 14001 internal audit report process has become much easier. 

Our features, like the Audit Hub, allow you to create customizable checklists and streamline the entire audit process, reducing your administrative burden and ensuring compliance is always on track. 

Centralizing audit scheduling, tracking, and execution reduces the administrative burden, ensuring compliance is always on track. Real-time compliance checking further simplifies meeting regulatory obligations, making the creation of an ISO 14001 internal audit report seamless and efficient. BPRHub turns the audit process into a stress-free, organized experience.

Start with BPRHub today to streamline the ISO 14001 internal audit process and boost efficiency across your entire manufacturing lifecycle.

FAQ’s

1. What is the purpose of an ISO 14001 internal audit?

Ans: An ISO 14001 internal audit ensures your Environmental Management System (EMS) meets regulatory requirements, identifies areas for improvement, and helps maintain sustainability practices.

2. What are the 5 steps of the ISO 14001 internal audit process?

Ans: The ISO 14001 internal audit process involves five steps: planning the audit, conducting the audit to assess the EMS, documenting findings, creating the audit report with recommendations, and finalizing the report through a management review and follow-up actions.

3. How does BPRHub’s Audit Hub streamline the ISO 14001 audit process?

Ans: BPRHub’s Audit Hub simplifies the ISO 14001 audit process by centralizing scheduling, tracking, and execution. It offers customizable checklists, real-time compliance checking, and seamless documentation management, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring efficient, timely audits for regulatory compliance.

4. What is included in an ISO 14001 internal audit report?

Ans: An ISO 14001 internal audit report includes an executive summary, audit findings, non-conformities, compliance status, control effectiveness, relevant ISO 14001 clauses, and recommendations for improvement. It provides a clear record of the audit process and identifies areas for corrective action.

5. How often should an ISO 14001 audit be conducted?

Ans: ISO 14001 audits should be conducted at least annually, though more frequent audits may be necessary depending on the complexity and risk of the Environmental Management System (EMS). Regular audits ensure ongoing compliance, identify areas for improvement, and support continual environmental performance.