Auditing integrated management systems: Considerations and practice tips

• Published in: Environmental Quality Management 2008-12, Vol.18 (2), p.7-16
• Main Authors: Kraus, Jennifer L., Grosskopf, John
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Auditing; Copyrights; Environmental management; Environmental quality; Health; Integrated approach; International standards; ISO standards; Management; Management systems; Organizations; Pollution control; Quality control; Quality management; Quality standards; Readers; Risk management; Safety management; Sustainability; Tips; Winter
• ISSN: 1088-1913; 1520-6483
• DOI: 10.1002/tqem.20202

Implementation of management systems is on the rise. Most readers are familiar with the international standards for quality management (ISO 9001), environmental management (ISO 14001), and health and safety management (OHSAS 18001). Foresighted and progressive organizations have begun to demonstrate the benefits of creating an integrated multiple management system (IntMS). In this article, the authors use the term "IntMS" to refer to an approach that integrates multiple management system elements so that, despite multiple standards, employees will "see" only one system. Next, they discuss some basics of management system integration, including what systems should be integrated, and the advantages and disadvantages of their integration. They then move on to discussing the specifics of auditing an IntMS. They describe several different types of integrated audits and offer a range of practice tips. They conclude with some thoughts on the importance of preparing for the IntMS revolution.