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Environmental management auditing: When credentials count!
Author(s) -
Cichowicz Judith A.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
environmental quality management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.249
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 1520-6483
pISSN - 1088-1913
DOI - 10.1002/tqem.3310070204
Subject(s) - audit , license , competence (human resources) , business , computer security , test (biology) , credential , process (computing) , computer science , accounting , management , paleontology , economics , biology , operating system
We all know that the process of driving a car is not as simple as turning a key in the ignition and moving. When you want to drive a car, you take a written test to show your knowledge of the rules of the road. You learn to operate a vehicle (remember the operating difference between a standard shift and an automatic?) and then how to operate that vehicle in moving traffic. After you have gained competence in vehicle operation, you take a “hands‐on” driving test to prove to an independent third party (the State) that you know what you are doing. Then, if you do know, you are issued a license, subject to renewal and perhaps retesting at some later point in time. Your license has become your credential to operate. It implies a certain minimum level of knowledge and experience. Should environmental auditing be any different? This article considers the application of a uniform standard for environmental auditor qualification. With an emphasis on ISO 14001 1 and auditing of environmental management systems, it discusses: the evolution of environmental auditing; established environmental auditor qualification processes; limitations of compliance auditing; and characteristics of a good auditor.