Internal auditor competence

Answer 1:
Each organization has the authority to determine its competency requirements for its internal auditors. Normally, organizations consider that internal auditors should have knowledge of the audit criteria (ISO 14001:2015 in this case) and should have training in internal audits. So, your internal quality auditors should be prepared to audit your environmental management system after the training with ISO 14001:2015.

Question 2.
What would I need to conduct internal audits myself?

Answer 2:
I would recommend training about ISO 14001:2015 and an internal audit course. As a plus I would recommend that you participate as auditor, making part of an audit team, in 2 or 3 internal audits. Attention, I don’t recommend that internal auditors perform global internal audits. Normally, they don’t have time and experience for t hat, I recommend splitting the scope of the environmental management system into 3 or 4 audits along a year.

Question 3.
What is needed for me to train auditors for internal auditing?

Answer 3:
If you want to be the trainer; I recommend that first, you gain some experience as an internal auditor. Perhaps after 3 or 4 internal audits as a lead internal auditor.

Question 4.
Is an internal audit conducted by someone without proper certification a non-conformance?

Answer 4:
Yes, it is a nonconformance.
A possibility is to contract an external auditor to perform your internal audit before having competent internal auditors.

The following material will provide you information about internal audits:
- ISO 14001 – What competencies should an ISO 14001 internal auditor have? -https://advisera.com/14001academy/blog/2016/07/04/what-competences-should-an-iso-14001-internal-auditor-have/
- Internal Audits in the EMS: Five Main Steps - https://advisera.com/14001academy/blog/2019/08/27/key-iso-14001-benefits-to-customers/nowledgebase/internal-audits-in-the-ems-five-main-steps/
- Free course – ISO 14001:2015 Internal Auditor Course - https://advisera.com/training/iso-14001-internal-auditor-course/
- book – The ISO 14001:2015 Companion - https://advisera.com/books/the-iso-14001-2015-companion/