Conducting Internal ISO 14001 Audit for Global Technology Client

The client, a major global technology company, needed to conduct an internal ISO 14001 audit prior to a scheduled Surveillance audit. The client contacted Antea Group requesting an ISO 14001 certified auditor after we had successfully completed Health & Safety compliance Gap Assessments for the organization in the past. An internal inquiry indicated that a recent hire had been trained in the ISO14001 certification and audit process.

After determining that full certification was not required and that the internal resource would have availability to conduct a virtual assessment (COVID restrictions and budgetary restrictions made an in-person assessment prohibitive), a project proposal was presented to the client. The client responded to the proposal in mid-August which allowed a very short timeline to complete the work in advance of the Surveillance Audit taking place in October. This was a new service area for the company and an unfamiliar audit process for the ISO 14001 auditor, adding an additional challenge to the project. 

Since this manner of ISO14001 audit was a new service for Antea Group, the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Project Manager (PM) prepared an audit plan, protocol, and client-approved deliverable report format. The resource was quick to adapt to the virtual format and collaboration with the client was seamless due to clear and transparent communication from the beginning of the project. 

After the audit, a completed audit protocol was delivered to the client within one business day to ensure that they could address any identified gaps well in advance of the Surveillance Audit. A custom report was developed and fine-tuned with the help of the Auditor, PM, Staff Professional, and Audits and Assessments Program Owner, resulting in a product that was not only highly regarded by the client but could be reproduced for future clients. 

The Antea Group ISO 14001 internal auditor was requested to participate in an interview during the Surveillance Audit where it was evident that the client was well prepared for the external audit and had addressed the items identified during the internal audit. The facility was recommended for continued ISO 14001 certification. 

In January of 2022, the client requested that Antea Group provide the same service for its facility in Germany. The Inogen Alliance partner in Germany, HPC, was brought in to conduct the ISO 14001 audit of the Munich facility using the proven process and deliverables established for the domestic audit providing continuity for the client. The ISO 14001 internal audit for the Munich facility was completed in June 2022. The client also requested a follow-up internal ISO 14001 audit for the Washington campus which was conducted in June 2022.