Hire a consultant.

He or she can help you analyze what went wrong and where.

Their experience can assist in getting you back on track... quickly.

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A good consultant will bring to the table proven management schemes in line with the ISO 14001 standard.

Contact your registration company

Discuss what options you still have with your registration company.  They will be willing to work with you to change or adjust the audit schedule.

Try to reschedule your Phase I audit within an appropriate amount of time taking into account registrar schedules and the minimum amount of time you’ll need to make changes.

Explain that you are hiring a consultant and are committed to remedying the situation(s) that caused your non-conformance(s).

Allocate necessary human resources to right your situation

Who, within your company, do you need help from?

What will it take to get the cooperation you need?

Is a company-wide informational meeting appropriate?

Use this challenge as a rally point to energize your human resources – your consultant can help you do this.

Identify the non-conformances that didn’t allow you to pass

Did you fail because of document control?  Don’t feel alone…this is very common and relatively easy to fix.

Do you have examples of good document control?

Do your people know what good document control is?

Have you considered any of the software available to provide document control for you?

Did you fail because of your Environmental Policy?

Have you stated a commitment to comply with relevant environmental legislation & regulations and with other requirements to which your company subscribes?  This last requirement is often a stumbling point!

Have you made your policy available to the public?

Have you stated all your commitments, using specific terminology, in your policy?

What we have listed above is only a small sample of what can happen during a Phase I audit.  Don’t let the fact that you’ve failed the initial audit deter you from continuing your quest for ISO 14001 certification.  Most companies who find themselves in this situation move ahead, get the consultation they need and ultimately become ISO 14001 certified.

If you find yourself in this situation please DO NOT HESITATE to contact us.  We can help you!

Great Bay Consulting

POB 401

Lyndon Center, Vermont 05850

802 272 2773