HES4811 Assignment 3 (799045)-Due Date : 06 October 2023.

HES4811 Assignment 3 (799045)-Due Date : 06 October 2023.100% CORRECT questions, answers, workings and explanations.Activity 3.1 Definitions [5 marks] 3.1.1. Provide the definition of an ‘audit’ as provided in the ISO 14001:2014 standard and critically evaluate this definition against two other definitions you sourced from the internet for ‘Environmental Audit’. Include the references to the three definitions in your answer. (3 Marks) 3.1.2. Use the ISO 14001:2015 standard and one (1) web source to explain the terms “Competence” and “Competent ISO auditor”. (2 Marks) Activity 3.2 Audit types [15 marks] An important type of Audit had to be used more extensively during the COVID-19 pandemic and is still being used, namely ‘Remote Assessment’. Search the International Accreditation Forum’s (IAF) Document Nr. ‘ID 12:2015 Principles on Remote Assessment’ and do the following: 3.2.1. Provide the definition of ‘Remote Assessment’ and critically compare this to the ISO 14001:2015 definition of ‘audit’. (1 Mark) 3.2.2. Critically argue what type of ‘Environmental Audit’ is a ‘Remote Assessment’ if one considers the types of Environmental Audits as provided in the guideline of DEAT (2004) ‘Environmental Auditing, Integrated Environmental Management, Information Series 14, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), Pretoria’. (1 Mark) 3.2.3. Explain in your own words, when remote assessments may be considered [10 Marks] and in what situations they may be less favourable [3 Marks]. (13 Marks) Activity 3.3 Audit programme and plans [20 Marks] 3.3.1. Use ISO 19011:2018 as a source to explain the main difference between an audit programme and an audit plan. (2 Marks) 3.3.2. Through an illustrative diagram, show all steps common to conducting audits as stipulated by ISO 19011:2018. (9 Marks) 3.3.3. Give an in-depth description of the key steps common to all environmental audits. (9 Marks) 3 Activity 3.4 Principles of auditing and case study [20 Marks] According to ISO 19011:2018 auditing is characterized by reliance on seven (7) principles. 3.4.1. Explain briefly, why these principles are needed. (1 Mark) 3.4.2. Name the principles and briefly interpret each principle in your own words. (14 Marks) 3.4.3. Read the Centre for Environmental Rights’ (CER) report “Full disclosure” ( principles the “Independent auditors” (see pages 8 to 9) did not adhere to. (5 Marks) Activity 3.5 ISO audit application [33 Marks] 3.5.1. Carefully audit the legitimacy of the following statements made by an organization’s Top Management and Environmental Manager about the new ISO 14001:2015 standard during an ISO 14001:2015 audit. Determine if each statement is true or false [1 Mark] and give a short explanation of your answer by referring to the relevant system clause/s [1 Mark] and your explanation of the answer [1 Mark]. (18 Marks) No. Statement True/ False Clause(s) and Explanation 0 Example: This organisation need to design, implement and maintain the Plan, Do and Check (PDC) model to achieve continual improvement. False [1 Mark] Clause: Introduction 04 ‘Plan-Do-Check- Act model’[1 Mark] state “The basis for the approach underlying an environmental management system is founded on the concept of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA). The PDCA model also “provides an iterative process used by organisations to achieve continual improvement”. [1 Mark] a) Our organisation need to achieve enhancement of environmental performance as the only intended outcome of the ISO 14001:2015-based EMS. b) Our organisation must document the scope of their environmental management system. 4 c) Our organisation use unestablished criteria to determine those aspects that have or can have a significant environmental impact, i.e. significant environmental aspects. d) A life cycle perspective is to be applied when identifying the environmental aspects associated with its activities, products and services. e) Our organisation shall communicate relevant environmental performance information internally as identified in its communication process[es] and as required by its compliance obligations. f) Our organisation may consider understanding its conformance status with compliance obligations. 3.5.2. Lockdown Safely (Pty) Ltd, an ISO 14001:2015 certified organisation, appoints you to conduct an audit on the organisations’ existing ISO 14001 environmental policy. Read the policy presented to you below and write three (3) detailed non-compliances to specific clauses and sub-clauses to ISO 14001:2015. Note: each non-compliance must fulfil all five (5) elements of a finding required by ISO 19011:2018. (15 Marks) Lockdown Safely (Pty) Ltd ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Lockdown (Pty) Ltd recognises the universal right of present and future generations to an environment that is not harmful to human well-being. We therefore conduct our operations such that we minimise any potential adverse effects of our process and products. Lockdown (Pty) believes that the best mechanism to ensure that this right is maintained is through the adoption of practices consistent with the goals of sustainable development. In order to execute these goals, all Lockdown (Pty) Ltd business units will conduct their activities within the following strategy framework: • Lockdown (Pty) Ltd management will provide the necessary resources to execute this strategy. • Lockdown (Pty) Ltd will comply with legislation. • Strive towards the optimal utilisation of resources through the reduction of waste and use of fossil fuels and the prevention of pollution through the use of renewable, recycled and environmentally friendly resources. 5 • Develop an emergency preparedness programme identifying potential environmental risks to Lockdown (Pty) Ltd operational activities and products with the subsequent implementation and maintenance of risk mitigation measures. • Provide appropriate environmental training for all employees and contractors with a view to achieve the objectives of this policy. • Actively and openly participate in environmentally related dialogue with all interested and affected parties, including employees, the government, non-governmental organisations and representatives from community organisations and will preferentially support and assist environmentally responsible suppliers of goods and services. • The Lockdown (Pty) Ltd Environmental Policy is viewed as a dynamic document that will be reviewed on a regular basis to take cognisance of improved environmental understanding and practice. This policy is available to Lockdown (Pty) Ltd employees, regulatory authorities, and the community on request. Approved by: Mr Corona Date: 2021/02/28 (Revision 01) Example: Finding No. Clause Finding [must contain time + place + evidence in document+ requirement] JAW01: Minor Finding (example) 5.2: General [1 Mark] At the time of the documentation audit [1 Mark], no evidence of a revision of the policy was available [1 Mark] to show maintenance of the environmental policy [1 Mark]. ISO 14001: 2015 requires “Top management shall establish, implement and maintain an environmental policy”. [1 Mark] ...01 ...02 ...03 Activity 3.6 Auditing Certification Authority [7 Marks] Download and read the Southern African Auditor and Training Certification Authority’s (SAATCA) “Management System Auditors Criteria” (Available at: content/uploads/2018/05/CRT-6-9-Criteria-for-Certification-Environmental-Management-System- A). 3.6.1. List and briefly describe the SAATCA auditor grades. (3 Marks) 6 3.6.2. By considering your education (see page 9, section 2.3) your work experience (see page 10, section 2.4), your knowledge and skills (see page 11, section 2.5), determine which SAATCA auditor grade you will be able to qualify for? (4 Marks) Useful recommended sources: [Note: the below is recommended information but there are many on- line, published articles that deals with the Environmental Auditing topic. Innovative use of a variety of “academic” sources will be rewarded and if not used/integrated effectively and critically the student will be penalized. See also Wessels, 2023 presentation [References] in Additional Resources for further guidance on resources]. International Standards - accessible through ISO and SABS website and web sources: • International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 2015. ISO 14001 – Environmental management systems - Requirements with guidance for use. ISO. Geneva. • International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 2016. ISO 14004 – Environmental management systems - General guidelines on implementation. ISO. Geneva. Available at: • International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 2018. EN ISO 19011:2018 - Guidelines for auditing management systems. ISO. Geneva. • International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 2015. ISO 17021 - Conformity assessment -- Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems. ISO, Geneva. Academic sources examples - accessible through Google Scholar [peer reviewed & published: Journal articles, M and PhD]: • Adarkwa, S.A. 2016. Environmental audit of small hospitals: a case study at the Aninwaaah Medical Centre, Emena-Kumas. Master of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, November, 2016. • Tai, S. and Song, C. 2013. Discussion of Environmental Audits Key Elements and Its Concept. Business and Management Research, Vol 2, No.1. Available at: • Piek, B. 2019. Evaluating the effectiveness of non-conformance reporting systems of ISO 14001 certification auditing in South Africa: a certification body' perspective. Master’s degree in Environmental Management at the North-West University. Available at: • Wessels, J.A., Mostert, RCS, and Morrison-Saunders, A. 2018. Occupation to profession: the need, drivers and course of action for regulating the South African Environmental Control Officer industry. Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management, Vol. 20, No. 4 (December 2018) 1850011 (28 pages). Available at: Web sources SAATCA: • • 7 • SAATCA-Auditor-Registration-Black-White-R • • Environmental-Management-System-A TOTAL FOR ASSIGNMENT Three (3) = 100 Marks