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Preface
This Simple
Guide to Environmental Audit aims to help organizations conduct
environmental audits in an effective and efficient manner.
It is also a useful supplement to the Environmental Audit
training video - "The Key to a Successful Environmental
Audit" - jointly produced by the Environmental Protection
Department and the Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau.
The Guide
consists of 4 chapters. Chapter 1 provides a brief conceptual
overview of the environmental audit process. Chapters 2, 3
and 4 cover the key elements involved from the planning of
the audit to its execution and following up in a step-by-step
format. This reference tool will lead users through the whole
audit process to its successful completion.
This guide
is designed so that the explanatory notes, practical tips,
references to sample checklists and protocols are put under
the following representative collection of "Icons":
 Tips
and Hints |
 Proceed
with Caution |
 Information |
 Pitfalls
to Avoid |
 Resource
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The appended
sample checklists and protocols are for reference only. They
are divided into three sections. The first section contains
questionnaires and checklists for completion by the "Audit
Site Facilitator" in the pre-audit phase. The second
section comprises a series of legislative compliance audit
protocols for use by "Internal Auditors" during
the on-site audit. The third section includes suggested contents
of the audit report and a framework for audit follow-up.
As each
audit site will have its own unique characteristics, it is
essential that the "Internal Auditors" assess the
applicability of the checklists and protocols and make amendments
where necessary. It will also be the responsibility of the
"Internal Auditors" to update the legislative compliance
audit protocols to reflect the latest developments in legislation.
This Simple
Guide was adapted from the Environmental Protection Department's
Environmental Audit Manual and the Environmental Audit Training
Manual which were produced with the help of an expert consultant.
Any site-specific environmental audit undertaken with the
use of this reference tool should be the sole professional
responsibility of the "Internal Auditors". The Environmental
Protection Department WILL NOT take any responsibility as
the provider of this reference Guide.
Hints
for Users:
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This
guide is intended for those who have completed some form
of basic training or have previous working experience
on environmental audit. Users without prior exposure on
this subject are encouraged to attend a course on environmental
audit before undertaking the process.
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Users
are encouraged to read through the document to familiarize
themselves with the audit process before commencement.
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As
each audit site has its own unique set of conditions,
the sample worksheets should be used as reference material
only. Users are recommended to make modifications and
adaptations that suit their own needs.
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