Course Overview

This CPD-UK approved five-day Lead Auditor course is designed to develop the practical competence and professional judgement needed to lead first, second, and third-party audits of an EMS against the newly published ISO 14001:2026. The programme draws on ISO 19011:2018 and ISO/IEC 17021-1, with extensive practical work focused on auditing environmental performance, life-cycle controls, climate-change duties, and value-chain impacts.

Who Should Attend

• Senior internal auditors progressing to lead audit responsibilities
• EHS and sustainability professionals leading certification or transition audits
• Consultants advising clients on EMS certification
• Trainee auditors at certification bodies
• EMS leaders pursuing advanced auditor competence

What You Will Learn

• Plan, lead, and manage full EMS audits – stage 1 readiness through stage 2 conformity assessment
• Audit life-cycle perspective, climate-change considerations, biodiversity, and pollution controls
• Apply ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021-1 to certification-style EMS audits
• Manage audit teams, conduct opening and closing meetings, and resolve audit conflicts
• Grade and report nonconformities with evidence-based precision
• Recommend audit decisions and follow up corrective actions

Course Content

• ISO 14001:2026 deep dive and the role of the EMS Lead Auditor
• EMS audit principles, audit programme, and audit planning
• Stage 1 audit – documentation review and EMS readiness
• Stage 2 audit – site auditing, life-cycle evidence, sampling, and interviewing
• Audit team leadership and time management
• Nonconformity grading, evidence chains, and audit reporting
• Audit follow-up, corrective action verification, and closure
• Practical role-play audits, mock-audit case studies, and group exercises throughout

Methodology

A highly interactive, case-based programme. Role-play audits and mock-audit scenarios are scheduled across the five days, with participants taking turns in audit team leadership roles.

Assessment

Continuous assessment is conducted throughout, complemented by a final written examination on day five. Participants who achieve the required pass marks are awarded the Lead Auditor certificate.

Certificate

Prerequisites