Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 - ISO 14001 Registration Audits

[Marc]

Would someone please explain what Stage 1 and Stage 2 are? Is this the equivalent of ISO 9001 document review by the registrar and the registrar's assesssment audit?

The more details, the better! Thanks in advance!

[JodiB]

Marc,
I don't usually cruise this area but popped in here tonite for a look around.

You are correct. Stage I is the document review, but also entails the site tour and the planning for the audit and some other tidbits (like identification of legal req's). Stage I is typically 2 days vs. the one day 900X doc review. Stage II is the conformance audit, like main assessment for 900X.

The registrar should be able to provide you with an itinerary for the Stage I audit.

[Marc]

Thanks! I'm also following http://16949.com/Forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3772

Just looking for all the details I can get. What I'm getting is that it is somewhat registrar dependent.

[Randy]

It's pretty much a standard procedure to divide the document review from the "registration"audit. I think the RAB even requires it.

[JodiB]

You can do "back-to-back" assessment - but it is stupid and very hard for the assessors to do.

[JodiB]

Marc,
You were looking for some "details", so here you go:

At Stage I, you should have the following information available: [list=1][*]records of the environ. aspects and their assoc. impacts and the determination of sig. envir. aspects[*]applicable regulations (including licenses and permits), agreements with authorities and any company reports[*]environ policy[*]objectives and targets[*]environmental program[*]records of communcations[*]environ. doc required by the standard[*]relevant documentation from QMS or H&S systems[*]corrective and preventive action records[*]internal audit program and reports[*]mgt. review meeting minutes[*]site and drainage plans[*]any relevant process flow diagrams[/list=1]
There should be a site tour to:

• verify the site plans ( for drains, buildings, local community, site aspects, etc)
• identify potential environ. aspects
• identify current controls/performance
• identify areas and personnel to visit on assessment
• identify activities/processes
• identify waste streams, emissions and discharges
• familiarize for stage 2

The Aspects will be reviewed to 1) identify Aspects ( direct control and those that the company can influence) 2) validate the procedure for screening aspects for significance 3) significant environmental impacts (properly determined) 4) procedure applied consistently and records up to date

There will be a review of Legal and other requirements to make sure that they are 1) identified 2) procedure applied to identify, have access to and periodically evaluate compliance

The Communications will be reviewed - both internal and external

The continual improvement program will be reviewed to ensure: 1) objectives and targets are relevent and consistent with policy, are correctly established and support the continual improvement program 2) appropriate programs and plans to achieve objectives 3) performance measurement and reporting 4) the company's mgt. addresses the necessary issues through mgt. meetings or other appropriate means

The review of EMS documentation and internal audits are basically the same as QMS, but integration with other company systems would be looked at.

Is this more like what you were looking for?

[Marc]

Thanks! That will do quite well - and I appreciate the details!