Course Overview

This IRCA certified course gives you the knowledge and skills to perform first-, second- and third-party audits of an environmental management system (EMS) against ISO 14001, in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021. You will learn the management systems approach to managing environmental impacts, the requirements of ISO 14001:2026, and how to plan, conduct, report and follow up an audit of an entire EMS.

Who Should Attend

Environmental, sustainability and EHS managers and officers
Internal auditors who want to progress to lead auditor level
Consultants and professionals who want to audit EMS as second- or third-party auditors
Anyone responsible for maintaining, improving or auditing an ISO 14001-based system

Training Contents

ISO 14001:2026 Environmental Management System requirements
Environmental aspects, impacts and a life-cycle perspective
Context, leadership, planning, support and operational controls
Environmental compliance obligations and risk-based thinking
Auditing principles and ISO 19011:2026 guidelines
Audit planning, preparation and team leadership

Key Learning Outcomes

Stage 1 and Stage 2 audit techniques
Audit evidence, findings and nonconformity reporting
Audit reporting, corrective action and follow-up
Performance evaluation and continual improvement
Practical exercises, case studies and audit simulations
Course examination

Benefits

Lead effective EMS audits
Strengthen environmental compliance
Support sustainability and continual improvement

Examination and Assessment Process

Final exam: The Exam is taken online. Exam guide lists 40 questions in 1 hour 45 minutes, in five sections. Total 80 marks, with a pass requirement of 40 marks (50%) overall plus the minimum in each section.

Certificate

Delegates who pass the exam receive IRCA Certificate of Achievement within 6-8 weeks.

Resit Examination Policy

Delegates who are unsuccessful in, or unable to attend, their first final examination attempt are eligible to appear in a resit examination. Please note:

Each delegate is entitled to one (1) resit attempt only.
The resit must be taken within twelve (12) months of the first examination attempt.