PECB Certified EMS ISO 14001 Lead Auditor - ISO-14001-Lead-Auditor Exam Practice Test
A small services organisation has been contracted to handle the disposal of waste for a local hospital. You are an auditor conducting a Stage 2 audit of the care home to ISO 14001. You are reviewing the contract with the Service Manager (SM). An addendum to the contract only requires that biological waste is disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way, without reference to any regulatory requirements.
You: How was the waste disposal plan for the contract developed?
SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed.
Some of that is specified by the contractor.
You: How does the plan deal with specific items like biological waste, which are included in the contract and can pose biological hazards to the environment?
SM: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.
You: Are you aware of the regulatory requirements for waste disposal standards in hospitals?
SM: Yes but we depend on the contractor to look after that side of things.
You raise a nonconformity against section 8.1.d of ISO 14001.
At the Stage 2 closing meeting of the audit, the EMS Manager objects to the nonconformity raised and asks for it to be withdrawn. He insists that they meet all the regulations.
Choose one of the options that the audit team leader should take in response to the request.
You: How was the waste disposal plan for the contract developed?
SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed.
Some of that is specified by the contractor.
You: How does the plan deal with specific items like biological waste, which are included in the contract and can pose biological hazards to the environment?
SM: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.
You: Are you aware of the regulatory requirements for waste disposal standards in hospitals?
SM: Yes but we depend on the contractor to look after that side of things.
You raise a nonconformity against section 8.1.d of ISO 14001.
At the Stage 2 closing meeting of the audit, the EMS Manager objects to the nonconformity raised and asks for it to be withdrawn. He insists that they meet all the regulations.
Choose one of the options that the audit team leader should take in response to the request.
Correct Answer: C
Vote an answer
An organisation (ABC) plans to carry out a second-party audit of the environmental management system of a supplier (XYZ). Both, ABC and XYZ, have a certified Environmental Management System (EMS) to ISO
14001 by the same certification body.
Which one of these statements is correct?
14001 by the same certification body.
Which one of these statements is correct?
Correct Answer: A
Vote an answer
Explanation: Only visible for PassTestking members. You can sign-up / login (it's free).
An internal auditor of a manufacturer of aluminium products for the car industry asked to see the most recent management review minutes and found no reference to the completion of some of the current environmental objectives. He raised a nonconformity against section 9.3.c of ISO 14001 in Report IA202. The nonconformity (NC3) stated:
" Top management has not analysed why some of the environmental objectives have been met since the last management review. " When discussing the finding with the Environmental Manager, the auditor was informed that planned actions taken to complete the current environmental objectives were specifically covered in the internal audit programme and did not need any further work done.
Select one of the options which would constitute an effective response by the Environmental Manager to the nonconformity.
" Top management has not analysed why some of the environmental objectives have been met since the last management review. " When discussing the finding with the Environmental Manager, the auditor was informed that planned actions taken to complete the current environmental objectives were specifically covered in the internal audit programme and did not need any further work done.
Select one of the options which would constitute an effective response by the Environmental Manager to the nonconformity.
Correct Answer: D
Vote an answer
An auditor from the headquarters of a large international chemical organisation is auditing a branch located along the bank of a river. During the opening meeting, the General Manager explained that 10 minutes before, the local environmental authority had sent an email informing that the organisation had been fined due to very high values of BOD and COD measured downstream. The General Manager said they are quite confident in solving the problem, as explained by their external compliance consultant. The auditor visited the laboratory and did not find any potential deviation. A competitor just built a plant across the river.
Match the following issues with the relevant ISO 14001 clause.
Match the following issues with the relevant ISO 14001 clause.
Correct Answer:
Explanation:
* Laboratory data analysis: 9.1.1
* External compliance consultant: 7.2
* Waste discharge as an environmental aspect: 6.1.2
* Use of the applicable regulation: 6.1.3
* A new plant across the river: 4.1
* Water treatment plant operational control: 8.1
* Communication with the new plant: 7.4
* Compliance with regulations: 9.1.2
In accordance with ISO 14001:2015, audit trails must be evaluated against their corresponding standard requirements.
Evaluating external factors such as the competitor's new plant across the river relates directly to understanding the organization and its context (Clause 4.1). Identifying waste discharge into the river aligns with identifying environmental aspects and associated impacts (Clause 6.1.2), while determining relevant legal standards for discharge represents determining compliance obligations (Clause 6.1.3). Evaluating the competence of external advisors, such as the compliance consultant, falls under competence requirements (Clause 7.2). External interactions or dialogue regarding shared environmental conditions fall under communication processes (Clause 7.4).
Operationally, managing water treatment operations to ensure effluent compliance represents operational planning and control (Clause 8.1). Monitoring and analyzing laboratory sampling data corresponds to monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation (Clause 9.1.1). Finally, evaluating actual compliance status relative to environmental fine notifications and legal limits requires evaluating compliance (Clause
9.1.2).
References: ISO 14001:2015 Clauses 4.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 7.2, 7.4, 8.1, 9.1.1, 9.1.2, and CQI-IRCA ISO 14001 Lead Auditor Curriculum (EMS Requirements and Audit Trail Mapping).
An audit team leader arrives at a steel fabrication organisation that manufactures fire escape stairs to carry out a Stage 2 certification audit. At a meeting with the EMS Manager, she is told that they have won their biggest contract from a construction organisation to manufacture and install fire escape stairs. They appointed a subcontractor to perform the installation work. The EMS Manager wants the ISO 14001 audit extended to cover the installation site.
Select which one of the options is the correct response by the auditor.
Select which one of the options is the correct response by the auditor.
Correct Answer: C
Vote an answer
Explanation: Only visible for PassTestking members. You can sign-up / login (it's free).
The audit team leader presents the audit outcome at the closing meeting attended by the Chief Executive and the senior managers of a care home. The agenda involves the reporting of a low number of minor nonconformities in the EMS to ISO 14001. It becomes clear to the audit team leader and team members that the Chief Executive becomes increasingly agitated as the meeting progresses.
Before the audit team leader can present a summary of the audit results, the Chief Executive interrupts the report and angrily claims that the whole process is flawed and that the organisation has wasted its time on trying to get certification because it has chosen the wrong certification body.
Select the one option you would take as the audit team leader in response to the situation.
Before the audit team leader can present a summary of the audit results, the Chief Executive interrupts the report and angrily claims that the whole process is flawed and that the organisation has wasted its time on trying to get certification because it has chosen the wrong certification body.
Select the one option you would take as the audit team leader in response to the situation.
Correct Answer: A
Vote an answer
Explanation: Only visible for PassTestking members. You can sign-up / login (it's free).
A chain of 10 paint shops in a city has established an EMS following the requirements of ISO 14001, which was third-party certified 10 years ago. You are performing a second-party audit. The audit plan included an interview with the General Manager (GM). The dialogue was as follows:
You: Hi, good evening. I have seen well-developed environmental risk assessment processes. However, I did not find the identification of emergency situations included in the results of this process. The Environmental Manager (EM) could not provide me with an acceptable answer to this question.
GM: The EM joined us two months ago, and he may not know some decisions we made some time ago, when we first certified our EMS. During those days, I met with all 10 supervisors and asked them what the emergencies were that they feared most. They unanimously said: fire. That was it. This is the only emergency we care about. As far as I remember, we do not test the plan very often because the supervisors of all our 10 shops know it very well. The auditors of our certification body accepted this. We have not had a fire in the last 10 years.
What evidence would you need to review to determine conformity with ISO 14001 in this scenario? Select six
.
You: Hi, good evening. I have seen well-developed environmental risk assessment processes. However, I did not find the identification of emergency situations included in the results of this process. The Environmental Manager (EM) could not provide me with an acceptable answer to this question.
GM: The EM joined us two months ago, and he may not know some decisions we made some time ago, when we first certified our EMS. During those days, I met with all 10 supervisors and asked them what the emergencies were that they feared most. They unanimously said: fire. That was it. This is the only emergency we care about. As far as I remember, we do not test the plan very often because the supervisors of all our 10 shops know it very well. The auditors of our certification body accepted this. We have not had a fire in the last 10 years.
What evidence would you need to review to determine conformity with ISO 14001 in this scenario? Select six
.
Correct Answer: A,B,C,D,G,K
Vote an answer
Explanation: Only visible for PassTestking members. You can sign-up / login (it's free).
Auditors need to communicate effectively with auditees. Therefore, their personal behaviour is a key characteristic in ensuring a successful audit.
Below is a list of these characteristics and a brief related description. Match the characteristics to the descriptions.
Below is a list of these characteristics and a brief related description. Match the characteristics to the descriptions.
Correct Answer:
Explanation:
1-C, 2-B, 3-A, 4-D
The correct matching is:
1. Fair, truthful, sincere, honest, discreet # C. Ethical
An auditor must act with integrity and honesty. Being fair, truthful, sincere, honest, and discreet reflects ethical behaviour, which is essential because auditors handle sensitive information and must maintain trust.
2. Willing to learn from situations # B. Open to improvement
An auditor should be willing to improve their own audit approach, learn from experience, and adjust based on new situations. This supports continual improvement in audit competence.
3. Tactful in dealing with individuals # A. Diplomatic
Being diplomatic means handling people respectfully and tactfully, especially when discussing sensitive issues, audit findings, or possible nonconformities.
4. Aware of and able to understand situations # D. Perceptive
A perceptive auditor notices and understands situations, behaviours, risks, and evidence during the audit. This helps the auditor identify relevant issues and evaluate audit evidence effectively.
So, the final matched answer is:
Fair, truthful, sincere, honest, discreet - Ethical
Willing to learn from situations - Open to improvement
Tactful in dealing with individuals - Diplomatic
Aware of and able to understand situations - Perceptive
You are the audit team leader of a third-party initial certification audit to ISO 14001 for two days of audit.
This is the first time you lead an audit, and a second member of the team is a qualified audit team leader who will evaluate your performance as the audit team leader.
During lunch on the second day, you are informed that the second member of the audit team will have to leave the audit due to personal problems but could return the following day.
What would you do? Select the best two options.
This is the first time you lead an audit, and a second member of the team is a qualified audit team leader who will evaluate your performance as the audit team leader.
During lunch on the second day, you are informed that the second member of the audit team will have to leave the audit due to personal problems but could return the following day.
What would you do? Select the best two options.
Correct Answer: D,F
Vote an answer
Explanation: Only visible for PassTestking members. You can sign-up / login (it's free).
An audit team leader arrives at a steel fabrication organisation that manufactures fire escape stairs to carry out a Stage 2 certification audit. At a meeting with the EMS Manager, she is told that they have won their biggest contract from a construction organisation to manufacture and install fire escape stairs. They appointed a subcontractor to perform the installation work. The EMS Manager wants the ISO 14001 audit extended to cover the installation site and has set environmental objectives for the subcontractor in line with the EMS policy below:
"It is the policy of the organisation to protect the environment by acting with responsibility at all times, to comply with relevant legislation and to set objectives that will enhance our environmental performance." The auditor seeks evidence of the awareness of subcontractor personnel of the environmental policy set by management.
From the following options, select two issues that all subcontractor personnel should be aware of relating to the organisation's environmental policy.
"It is the policy of the organisation to protect the environment by acting with responsibility at all times, to comply with relevant legislation and to set objectives that will enhance our environmental performance." The auditor seeks evidence of the awareness of subcontractor personnel of the environmental policy set by management.
From the following options, select two issues that all subcontractor personnel should be aware of relating to the organisation's environmental policy.
Correct Answer: C,D
Vote an answer
Explanation: Only visible for PassTestking members. You can sign-up / login (it's free).