Environmental Audits

Many industrial and commercial activities create a potential for adversely impacting human health or the environment. Environmental Auditing is a powerful tool in the management of these activities. An Environmental Audit is a systematic process for verifying whether operations conform with specified criteria, such as regulations. The two common types of Environmental Audits are Environmental Compliance Audits and Environmental Management System (EMS) Audits. An Environmental Compliance Audit involves verifying whether operations conform to applicable legal and other requirements. An EMS Audit involves verifying whether the EMS conforms with specific criteria, such as the international standard ISO 14001, the commonly accepted benchmark for EMSs.

Cotter also conducts audits to CSA N288.4-10, Environmental Monitoring Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, CSA N288.5-11, Effluent Monitoring Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills, as well as CSA N288.5-7, Groundwater Protection Programs at Class I Nuclear Facilities and Uranium Mines and Mills.

In the petroleum industry, Cotter has also conducted compliance audits to the National Energy Board Act, the Onshore Pipelines Regulation, CSA Z662 Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems, CSA Z341-14 Storage of Hydrocarbons in Underground Formations, CSA Z246.1-13 Security Management for Petroleum and Natural Gas Industry Systems, and CSA Z341.4-14 Salt Cavern Waste Disposal.

Mark Cotter is a Certified Environmental Auditor and EMS Lead Auditor, who has conducted hundreds of environmental audits for a wide variety of clients.

For more information on environmental auditing assistance, contact Cotter Associates.