Search for "foundation"

Develop the confidence and practical skills to audit an Environmental Management System against ISO 14001:2026 and help your organisation improve compliance, control and environmental performance. This interactive CQI and IRCA Certified 2-day ISO 14001:2026 Internal Auditor course is designed to help delegates understand and apply the principles, techniques and good practices required to conduct effective internal environmental audits. A strong internal audit programme is one of the most effective ways to check whether an Environmental Management System is working as intended, meeting objectives and identifying opportunities for improvement. This course focuses on the role of the internal EMS auditor in planning audits, gathering objective evidence, reporting valid findings and supporting corrective action. Delegates are introduced to practical environmental auditing, business environmental issues, relevant legislative considerations and the key ISO 14001:2026 requirements that internal auditors need to understand.Duration2 Days, 09.00 – 17.10 (day 1) 08.45 – 17.15 (day 2)Who should attend? Anyone who will undertake internal environmental audits against ISO 14001:2026. Staff responsible for planning, managing or implementing an EMS internal audit programme. Environmental managers, EMS coordinators, compliance professionals, quality managers and health and safety professionals with environmental responsibilities. Team leaders and supervisors who want to broaden their understanding of environmental issues and contribute more effectively to business performance. Organisations that need trained internal auditors to support EMS maintenance, improvement, certification readiness or transition activity. Delegates who are new to auditing or environmental management systems. No previous auditing or EMS experience is required. Course objectivesThe course enables delegates to plan, perform, evaluate and report internal environmental audits with confidence, while understanding how internal auditing contributes to the continual improvement and development of an effective EMS. Understand the purpose, structure and key principles of an Environmental Management System. Explain the role, responsibilities and behaviours of an effective internal EMS auditor. Plan and prepare internal audits using audit objectives, scope, criteria and practical audit methods. Conduct audits using questioning, listening, sampling and evidence-gathering techniques. Evaluate audit evidence against ISO 14001:2026 and the organisation’s own EMS arrangements. Report clear, valid findings and understand how corrective action supports improvement. Course content Basic environmental thinking, environmental risk and risk-based concepts. Structure, principles and intended outcomes of an Environmental Management System. Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology and environmental management principles. Overview of key ISO 14001:2026 requirements relevant to internal auditing. Auditor roles, responsibilities, independence, objectivity and good audit behaviour. Types of environmental audit and the purpose of internal EMS audit programmes. Audit planning, preparation, checklists, sampling and evidence gathering. Effective auditing techniques, interviewing skills and good audit practice. Reporting valid findings, identifying nonconformities and managing corrective actions. Interactive role-play and team-based exercises using a simulated audit scenario. What are the benefitsThis course helps delegates and organisations turn internal auditing into a practical tool for assurance, compliance and improvement. Equips successful delegates with the technical skills and knowledge to plan, conduct and report internal EMS audits. Supports confidence in evaluating whether the EMS is effective, properly controlled and achieving its objectives. Helps organisations identify nonconformities, improvement opportunities and corrective actions before external audits. Strengthens internal capability for ISO 14001:2026 implementation, maintenance, certification readiness and continual improvement. When combined with an ISO 14001 Foundation course, satisfies the formal training requirements for those wishing to register under the CQI and IRCA Certified training scheme as an Internal EMS Auditor. Provides an engaging learning experience through interactive exercises, team-based work and simulated audit activities. In-House CoursesIn-house delivery offers better value for organisations with several delegates and can be designed to closely match your specific EMS, sector, audit programme, environmental risks and operational context. This option is ideal for organisations that want to build a consistent internal audit approach across sites, departments or management system teams, with practical examples tailored to their own environmental responsibilities and compliance obligations.Style of Delivery and Course LeadersThe course combines presentations, guided exercises and an interactive role-play exercise involving a simulated audit, making the learning practical, relevant and enjoyable for participants. Course leaders are qualified and experienced environmental auditors with extensive practical management experience across manufacturing, service, utilities, professional organisations and local and national government. iqms Learning also brings experience of working across cultural boundaries through projects in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Americas.CertificationDelegates successfully completing the course will be awarded a CQI and IRCA Certified training certificate (2806).