BGC CPEA key terms

A documented set of arrangements for a series of audits, covering their objectives, scope, scheduling, resources, and reporting, planned as a whole rather than one audit at a time.

The person who authorises and oversees the overall audit programme, allocates resources across audits, and ensures each audit is conducted consistently and competently.

A description of the activities and arrangements for a single audit, including its objectives, criteria, scope, schedule, team roles, and the documents to be examined.

The set of policies, requirements, standards, or legal obligations against which evidence is compared to decide whether conformity is achieved.

The stated purpose of an audit, describing what the audit is intended to determine or verify, such as the effectiveness of a management system.

The defined boundaries of an audit, specifying which sites, activities, processes, departments, and time period are included or excluded.

The preparatory examination of an organisation's procedures, records, permits, and reports to understand its arrangements and identify areas needing verification on site.

A structured list of points or questions used to guide an audit and record whether each item was examined and what was found.

A short meeting at the start of an audit where the team confirms the plan, scope, criteria, schedule, and communication arrangements with the auditee's representatives.

A meeting at the end of an audit where the team presents its findings and conclusions to the auditee, clarifies misunderstandings, and agrees follow-up arrangements.

Records, statements, observations, or other verified information that supports conclusions and findings; evidence must be relevant, sufficient, and reliable.

Information that can be verified and is not dependent on personal opinion, such as measurements, documents, photographs, or direct observation of conditions.

Selecting a portion of records, sites, or activities for examination when examining everything is impractical, while seeking a representative basis for conclusions.

A structured conversation with workers or managers to gather information about how activities are actually carried out and how requirements are understood.

Direct observation of physical operations, equipment, storage areas, and controls to verify conditions and practices against the audit criteria.

A result of evaluating evidence against audit criteria, which may indicate conformity or nonconformity and which is recorded and communicated to the auditee.

A failure to meet a specified requirement, whether a legal obligation, a standard clause, or the organisation's own documented procedure.

A noted condition that does not currently breach a requirement but indicates weakness or risk, recorded for the auditee's attention and improvement.

A suggestion arising from an audit that is not a requirement breach but could enhance performance, controls, or efficiency if adopted.

An element of an organisation's activities, products, or services that interacts or can interact with the environment, such as emissions, waste, or water use.

Any change to the environment, whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partly resulting from an organisation's environmental aspects.

An aspect that has or can have a significant impact on the environment, identified using defined criteria and given priority in the management system.

The interrelated policies, processes, responsibilities, and arrangements an organisation uses to manage its environmental aspects and meet its obligations.

A top-level statement of an organisation's commitments and intentions regarding environmental performance, providing the framework for setting objectives.

A specific, measurable goal an organisation sets to improve environmental performance or control its significant aspects, consistent with its policy.

A legal or other requirement an organisation must meet, including permits, statutes, regulations, and voluntary commitments to which it subscribes.

An authorisation issued by a regulator allowing specified activities subject to conditions, such as emission limits, monitoring, and reporting duties.

The state of meeting applicable environmental laws, regulations, and permit conditions, verified through monitoring, records, and audit evidence.

The process by which an organisation periodically assesses whether it meets its compliance obligations and records the results for review.

A periodic top-management examination of the management system's suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness, including audit results and compliance status.

The person or group at the highest level that directs and controls the organisation and is accountable for the management system's effectiveness.

A documented account of an audit covering its scope, criteria, findings, conclusions, and any agreed actions, issued to the auditee and other recipients.

Action taken to eliminate the cause of a detected nonconformity so that it does not recur, as distinct from immediate containment or correction.

A structured investigation to identify the underlying reasons a nonconformity occurred, so that corrective action addresses causes rather than symptoms.

A later verification activity confirming that corrective actions were implemented and were effective in preventing recurrence of the nonconformity.

The condition in which auditors are free from pressure or conflict of interest that could bias their judgements, including not auditing their own work.

The quality of reaching conclusions based on evidence alone, without favouritism, prejudice, or influence from personal or commercial interests.

The combination of education, training, experience, and personal attributes that enables an auditor to perform audit tasks effectively and reliably.

A person who provides specialised knowledge or advice to an audit team without acting as an auditor, such as a process engineer or chemist.

The auditor responsible for managing an audit, including planning, assigning tasks, guiding the team, and delivering the report.

The duty to protect information obtained during an audit and not disclose or misuse it without proper authority.

The ongoing process of enhancing environmental performance and management system effectiveness through repeated review, adjustment, and action.