5.23.2011

Publication of ISO 50001 – Energy Management System. Leverage for EHS/S Performance and Auditing

The May 2011 issue of ISO Focus+ announced that the much anticipated ISO management system for energy management will soon be published in 2011.

ISO reports that 50001 will specify requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an energy management system, whose purpose is to enable an organization to follow a systematic approach in achieving continual improvement of energy performance, including energy efficiency, energy use, and consumption. This standard will specify requirements applicable to energy use and consumption, including measurement, documentation, and reporting, design and procurement practices for equipment, systems, processes, and personnel that contribute to energy performance. ISO indicates that it applies to all variables affecting energy performance that can be monitored and influenced by the organization. Read More

Posted By | in Auditing & Metrics, Emerging Issues, ISO News, Management Systems, Sustainability | Tags: , , , | No Comments »

3.2.2011

Sustainability Auditing – Are You Covering All of the Bases?

A challenge with sustainability auditing is first defining what should be audited. If sustainability practices are well-defined, the task is somewhat straightforward. When they are not, the internal risk management and audit function is challenged to define what “should” be done and then audit against it.

The December 2010 (pp. 49–52) issue of Internal Auditor contains a robust article that examines sustainability auditing issues and challenges.

“Equipped to Sustain” presents a set of traditional triple-bottom-line audit issues, along with a handful of others, including (1) supply chain reporting, (2) life cycle assessment, and (3) non-financial reporting. The article provides a bundle of questions, in 10 groups, to ask during a sustainability audit. It also offers recommendations as to how to provide internal assurance and testing, along with tips on educating management of the value of using external frameworks, guidelines, or standards, such as the GRI G3, AccountAbility’s AA1000, and even ISO 9000.

Read More

Posted By | in Auditing & Metrics, Emerging Issues, Management Systems, Sustainability | Tags: , , , , , , , | No Comments »