Why an Audit?

In simple terms, an Environmental Audit can be compared with an Accounts Audit where the focus is to identify gaps between practices and the procedures. Remedial measures are suggested as an outcome of the audit so that the impact within manufacturing unit, surrounding society and overall environment can be avoided at the outset.

Unlike several other audits, environmental audit is not mandatory as per current Indian legislation. While some organizations undertake environmental audit voluntarily to verify their compliance with various statutes, others do it to explore an opportunity for further improvement.

Though large nos. of industries are today certified with ISO 9000, 14001 or OHSAS 18001 standards and do undertake regular procedural surveillance audits, an independent Environmental Audit helps them a long way as a part of their commitment to Continual Improvement and to strive for the best.

As ISO certifications are based on the policy, principles and system framed by the company itself, a periodic external audit can help bring in latest technological advancements and prepare them to face future challenges.

Corporates need to have compliance against their internal HSE protocols. A third party audit in such cases helps them in satisfying their local as well global obligations.
   

Methodology

The first activity in doing an audit is customizing a checklist to the project. This may be based on company’s own standards, relevant bylaws & govt./Court rulings and the pertinent enactments such as Environmental Protection Act 1986 and its amendments. Next step is to do a gap analysis by doing field visit. To gauze the deviation from procedure to practice, information is gathered through questionnaire, random individual interviews, records, objective evidences, cross questioning and material balancing etc. The findings of audit are discussed with auditee at site and the observation is supported by evidence and the applicable standard, while reporting. Closing meetings with plant management is an indispensable part of audit. Report alongwith an action plan and level of priority is submitted for implementation.

Beneficiaries

Though an environmental audit can be useful to any type of organization, the biggest beneficiaries are the industries involved in complex and hazardous operations such as petrochemical, refining, chemical, fertilizers, pesticides, oil & gas exploration, cement, power etc. There is another faction of industries to which an environmental audit can provide immense results. This is not because they are highly polluting but because they provide high end services or products to their customers and have much bigger reputation stake. The industries falling in this group are ITES, telecom, transportation/automobiles and infrastructure. For further information on Chilworth’s capability in environmental audit, please contact: info@chilworth.co.in