PR315: EMS ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor
CQI and IRCA Course ID: 2733

Course Overview

This CQI and IRCA certified course teaches you to plan, conduct, report and follow up audits of environmental management systems (EMS) against ISO 14001:2015, in line with ISO 19011 and ISO/IEC 17021-1.

Duration

5 days (40 hours)

Learning Objectives

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

• Explain the purpose of an EMS and the benefits of better environmental performance
• Explain the auditor’s role in planning, conducting, reporting and following up an EMS audit
• Plan, conduct, report and follow up an EMS audit against ISO 14001:2015

Who Should Attend

• Anyone who wants to become a second-party or third-party EMS auditor
• Anyone seeking IRCA EMS Auditor or Lead Auditor certification
• Environmental, HSE and sustainability professionals
• Internal auditors and management system consultants

Prerequisites

Before starting this course, you are expected to have the following prior knowledge:

ISO 14001

• Knowledge of the requirements of ISO 14001:2015, which may be gained by completing a CQI and IRCA certified EMS Foundation training course, or equivalent

Environmental management

• The concept of environmentally sustainable development: an organization must ensure that today’s actions do not degrade the environment of the future
• The purpose of an initial review as the basis for establishing an EMS, and the evaluation of activities, products and services under normal, abnormal and emergency operating conditions
• Environmental aspects and the maintenance of ecosystems, with respect to:
  • Emissions and releases to air, water and land, and energy lost (e.g. heat, radiation, vibration, steam and compressed air)
  • Use of raw materials, natural resources and energy
  • Public nuisances such as light pollution, noise, vibration and odour
• Environmental legislation, and how legal compliance forms part of an EMS
• Methods for evaluating the significant impacts of identified environmental aspects, and how their ranking influences operations and improvement priorities

Pre-course Assessment

• Participants must successfully complete and pass the pre-course assessment before attending the training course.

A newer version of this course is available

ISO 14001:2026 was published on 15 April 2026 and replaces ISO 14001:2015. Certified organizations must move to the new edition before May 2029. We now offer the updated course: PR376: EMS ISO 14001:2026 Lead Auditor (CQI and IRCA Course ID: 2853). To view the new course, click here.

Delivery and Assessment

You will be assessed throughout the course through continuous assessment, including practical exercises. You must attend 100% of the course to qualify for the final examination, which you must pass. Upon successful completion, you will receive a CQI and IRCA-certified course certificate.

Why choose Guidance Consulting and Training?

At Guidance, a CQI and IRCA Approved Training Partner, we’re proud to deliver high-quality training that reflects the latest international practice. We’re committed to giving you a complete learning experience that helps you reach your career goals. You’ll gain the knowledge and tools you need to excel in environmental management.

Join us today on the ISO 14001:2015 Lead Auditor course, and take the next step in your environmental management career with Guidance Consulting and Training.