Organizations face growing pressure to demonstrate sound environmental performance, legal compliance and effective management system practices. Lead auditors play a crucial role in evaluating conformity, identifying risks and driving continual improvement across complex operations.

We help you build the competence required to lead first, second and third-party audits of environmental management systems (EMS) against ISO/FDIS 14001:2026. You will learn how to plan audits, manage audit teams, evaluate evidence and report findings in accordance with ISO 19011 and, where appropriate, ISO/IEC 17021-1.

This course has been developed in alignment with the ISO/FDIS 14001:2026 standard and may be subject to editorial updates. Learners attending an SGS ISO/FDIS 14001:2026 course will be notified of any changes upon the official publication of ISO 14001:2026.

Why choose ISO/FDIS 14001:2026 EMS lead auditor training from SGS?

Understand the purpose and value of an EMS
Gain insight into how environmental management improves business performance and supports wider societal and sustainability goals.
Build advanced auditing and leadership skills
Learn how to plan, conduct, report and follow up EMS audits, including managing audit teams and complex audit programs.
Evaluate EMS conformity effectively
Strengthen your ability to assess environmental aspects, operational controls and compliance across varied operational conditions.
Support continual improvement and strong governance
Learn how to identify nonconformities, evaluate risks and recommend improvements that enhance EMS effectiveness.

Course details

Duration: 5 days.
Delivery: face-to-face or virtual instructor-led training.
Accreditation: SGS certificate of attendance upon completion.

Prior knowledge required

Before starting the course, you are expected to have knowledge of:

Environmental management principles: sustainable development, initial environmental review, evaluation of activities, products and services under normal, abnormal and emergency conditions
Environmental aspects and impacts: emissions, releases, resource use and energy loss, public nuisances (e.g. noise, vibration and odor), protection of ecosystems (e.g. watercourses, SSSIs)
Legislation and compliance: how legal requirements form part of an EMS
Impact evaluation: methods for determining significant environmental impacts and how they influence control and improvement priorities
Standard requirements: ISO/FDIS 14001:2026 requirements (which may be gained through an Introduction course)

Audience

This course is suitable for individuals who need to conduct or lead EMS audits, including external auditors, consultants and environmental management professionals.

Trusted ISO/FDIS 14001:2026 training from a leading course provider

As a global leader in audit and certification training, we bring decades of experience in environmental management and ISO-based auditing. Our courses are delivered by specialists who support you with practical guidance, real audit scenarios and the skills needed to lead effective, internationally aligned EMS audits. We help you build the confidence, competence and professionalism required to lead high-quality audits that add value to your organization and its stakeholders.