Course aim

To develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to lead and manage first-, second-, and third-party audits of Environmental Management Systems (EMS) against ISO 14001, in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021-1, as applicable.

The course equips delegates not only to conduct audits, but to effectively plan, manage, and add value through the audit process – ensuring audits assess strategic environmental risks and opportunities, life cycle thinking, compliance obligations, leadership engagement, and management of change in line with the evolving expectations of ISO 14001.

Course description

Build the confidence and expertise to lead high-impact Environmental Management System (EMS) audits against ISO 14001:2026.

This five-day ISO 14001 Lead Auditor course equips you with the practical skills and leadership capability to plan, manage and deliver first-, second- and third-party audits in accordance with ISO 14001:2026 and ISO 19011 auditing guidelines. You’ll follow a structured, step-by-step audit methodology — from initiation through to reporting and follow-up – developing the competence to lead audit teams and manage audit programmes effectively.

Aligned with current thinking in sustainability and ISO 14001 requirements, the course helps you to evaluate strategic environmental risks and opportunities, compliance assurance, leadership engagement, life cycle perspective, management of change, and continual improvement.

By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to lead audits that not only satisfy certification requirements, but also deliver measurable value by strengthening environmental performance and organizational resilience.

How will I benefit?

This course will help you:

• Lead and manage EMS audits with confidence
• Apply ISO 14001:2026 requirements in real-world audit situations
• Plan, conduct and follow up audits that add measurable value
• Evaluate strategic risks, compliance and leadership effectiveness
• Strengthen audit programmes using risk-based and process-based techniques
• Enhance audit efficiency using digital tools and auditing software
• Build stakeholder trust through professional audit leadership

What will I learn?

By the end of the training, you will be able to:

• Explain the purpose of an EMS, EMS standards, management system audit and third-party certification, and the business and societal benefits of improving environmental performance
• Explain the role and responsibilities of an auditor to plan, conduct, report and follow-up an environmental management system audit in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021, as applicable
• Gain the skills to plan, conduct, report and follow-up an audit of an environmental management system to establish conformity (or otherwise) with ISO 14001, and in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021 as applicable

Prerequisites

You should have a good knowledge of ISO 14001:2026 requirements, key concepts and principles of an EMS, and a foundation in EMS auditing. If not, we strongly recommend you attend our ISO 14001:2026 Requirements and ISO 14001:2026 Internal Auditor training courses.

Delegates are expected to have the following prior knowledge:

1. Management systems

• The Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) cycle
• The core elements of a management system and the interrelationship between top management responsibility, policy, objectives, planning, implementation, measurement, review, and continual improvement

1. Environmental management

• The intended outcomes of an environmental management system:
  • Enhancement of environmental performance
  • Fulfilment of compliance obligations
  • Achievement of environmental objectives

1. ISO 14001

Knowledge of the requirements of ISO 14001:2026 and the commonly used environmental management terms and definitions, as given in ISO 14001:2026