PECB Certified EMS ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Exam Questions and Answers
What are the primary purposes of implementing an EMS based on ISO 14001:2015? Select two.
An internal auditor of a manufacturer of aluminium products for the car industry raised a nonconformity against section 6.2.2 of ISO 14001 in Report IA202. The nonconformity (NC3) stated:
"Top management has not analysed why none of the environmental objectives set for the last year have been met."
A third-party auditor reviewing the internal audit process came across the nonconformity and found that no corrective action was documented. The EMS Manager confirmed no action had been taken, but added he expected a number of objectives to be achieved in the next three months so there was no need for further action. He explained in confidence that the organisation was fighting a takeover bid and resources for environmental projects had been cut.
From the information, select three non-conformities options that the auditor could raise to ISO 14001.
Which two of the following phrases would apply to "audit criteria"?
During a Stage 1 audit, the EMS Manager asks that the audit includes coverage of a new storage site on the other side of town that they have taken over since the application was made.
Which two of the following actions should the auditor take?
Which two of the following options are an advantage of using a sampling plan for the audit?
A small services organisation has been contracted to handle the disposal of waste for a local hospital. You are an auditor conducting a Stage 2 audit of the care home to ISO 14001. You are reviewing the contract with the Service Manager (SM). An addendum to the contract only requires that biological waste is disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way, without reference to any regulatory requirements.
You: How was the waste disposal plan for the contract developed?
SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed. Some of that is specified by the contractor.
You: How does the plan deal with specific items like biological waste, which are included in the contract and can pose biological hazards to the environment?
SM: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.
You: Are you aware of the regulatory requirements for waste disposal standards in hospitals?
SM: Yes but we depend on the contractor to look after that side of things.
You raise a nonconformity against section 8.1.d of ISO 14001.
At the Stage 2 closing meeting of the audit, the EMS Manager objects to the nonconformity raised and asks for it to be withdrawn. He insists that they meet all the regulations.
Choose one of the options that the audit team leader should take in response to the request.
A key audit process is the way auditors gather information and determine the findings' characteristics. Put the actions in the correct order to complete this process.
An internal auditor of a manufacturer of aluminium products for the car industry asked to see the most recent management review minutes and found no reference to the completion of some of the current environmental objectives. He raised a nonconformity against section 9.3.c of ISO 14001 in Report IA202. The nonconformity (NC3) stated:
"Top management has not analysed why some of the environmental objectives have been met since the last management review."
When discussing the finding with the Environmental Manager, the auditor was informed that planned actions taken to complete the current environmental objectives were specifically covered in the internal audit programme and did not need any further work done.
Select one of the options which would constitute an effective response by the Environmental Manager to the nonconformity.
An organisation has ISO 14001 EMS certification from a third-party certification body. Which one of the following represents an advantage of having accredited certification?
XM, a chain of 25 petrol stations, established an EMS following the requirements of ISO 14001, which was third-party certified 10 years ago. You are performing an internal audit before the fourth certification cycle.
During the audit to the EMS Manager (EM), the following dialogue takes place:
You: Could you please give me some details on the inspection of underground tanks in each station?
EM: It's very simple. There is a regulation that requires an annual leak inspection.
You: Who performs these inspections?
EM: I personally contract the inspectors and submit the results to the local authority. These are the certificates submitted last year.
You: I see only 22 certificates. There are three missing.
EM: The tanks of those three stations will be removed next year and replaced by new ones. I phoned the local authority and they told me that I do not need to send any report of the tanks that will be changed.
Which one of the following would be your next question?
Considering the requirements of clauses 6.1.2 and 6.1.4 of ISO 14001:2015, put the actions in the correct order to complete a process/task.
A multi-level shopping centre is open every day to the public from 09:00–21:00 hours. During an external audit of the centre to ISO 14001, you establish that there are 40 vending machines that are permanently switched on. Thirty of them do not sell perishable foodstuffs. You also note that there are eight escalators in the complex that run constantly during public access. When asked about environmental performance improvement objectives, the Centre Manager says that there are plans to increase the natural daylight by installing more skylights thus saving on lighting costs, but the estimated budget for this has not yet been approved by the board.
You: I note that energy consumption is a significant environmental aspect in the centre. How do you mitigate the impacts of this?
EMS Manager: We try to reduce our energy costs by negotiating a better deal from the energy company. We are considering changing to one that only supplies electricity from renewable sources.
You: What steps have you taken to reduce overall consumption?
EMS Manager: We conducted awareness training for staff. For example, turning off lights in staff areas not being used.
You: I see that the escalators account for the highest usage of energy. Are there any objectives to try and reduce this?
EMS Manager: No, it would be too costly to change them.
You: How do you measure electricity consumption?
EMS Manager: We have meters installed in each floor of the centre. We take readings every hour and we plot the consumption graph for every staff shift.
You continue the interview and find that energy consumption has increased steadily over the past five years. Select the two statements that are true.