Lead Auditor

Summary This five-day intensive course enables participants to develop the necessary expertise to audit an Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS) as specified in ISO 20121:2012 and to manage a team of auditors by applying widely recognized audit principles, procedures and techniques. During this training, the participant will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to proficiently plan and perform internal and external audits in compliance with the certification process of the ISO 19011 and ISO 17021 standards. Based on practical exercises, the participant will develop the skills (mastering audit techniques) and competencies (managing audit teams and audit program, communicating with customers, conflict resolution, etc.) necessary to efficiently conduct an audit.

Who should attend?
Internal auditors
Auditors wanting to perform and lead Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS) certification audits
Project managers or consultants wanting to master the Event Sustainability Management System
Managers working in the organization of the events or who implement the sustainable events or policies for companies
Members of an event sustainability team
Members of the event industry, supply chain including organizers, event managers, stand builders, caterers and logistics suppliers

Learning objectives
To acquire expertise to perform an ISO 20121 internal audit following ISO 19011 guidelines
To acquire expertise to perform an ISO 20121 certification audit following ISO 19011 guidelines and the specifications of ISO 17021
To acquire necessary expertise to manage an ESMS audit team
To understand the operation of an ISO 20121 conformant event sustainability management system
To understand the relationship between an event sustainability management system, including controls and compliance with the requirements of different stakeholders of the organization
To improve the ability to analyze the internal and external environment of an organization and also to remove or reduce negative impacts through improved planning and processes.

Course agenda
Day 1: Introduction to Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS) concepts as required by ISO 20121
Normative, regulatory and legal framework related to event sustainability
Standard and regulatory framework
Certification process
Fundamental principles of sustainability
Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS)
Detailed presentation of the clauses 4 to 10 of ISO 20121

Day 2: Audit principles, preparation and launching of an audit
Fundamental audit concepts and principles
Audit approach based on evidence and on risk
Preparation of an ISO 20121 certification audit
ESMS documentation audit
Conducting an opening meeting

Day 3: On-site audit activities
Communication during the audit
Audit procedures: observation, document review, interview, sampling techniques, technical verification, corroboration and evaluation
Audit test plans
Formulation of audit findings
Documentating nonconformities

Day 4: Closing the audit
Audit documentation
Quality review
Conducting a closing meeting and conclusion of an ISO 20121 audit
Evaluation of corrective action plans
ISO 20121 Surveillance audit
Internal audit management program

Day 5: Final exam

Educational approach
This training is based on both theory and practice:

Sessions of lectures illustrated with examples based on real cases
Practical exercises based on a full case study including role playing and oral presentations
Review exercises to assist the exam preparation
Practice test similar to the certification exam
Benefit from the practical exercises, the number of training participants is limited

Prerequisites
ISO 20121 Foundation Certification or basic knowledge of ISO 20121 is recommended

Examination and Certification
The "Certified ISO 20121 Lead Auditor" exam fully meets the requirements of the PECB Examination and Certification Program (ECP). The exam covers the following competence domains:

Domain 1: Fundamental principles and concepts of Event Sustainability
Domain 2: Event Sustainability Management System (ESMS)
Domain 3: Fundamental Audit Concepts and Principles
Domain 4: Preparation of an ISO 20121 audit
Domain 5: Conducting of an ISO 20121 audit
Domain 6: Closing an ISO 20121 audit
Domain 7: Managing an ISO 20121 audit program

The "Certified ISO 20121 Lead Auditor" exam is available in different languages (the complete list of languages can be found in the examination application form)
Duration: 3 hours
For more information about exam, refer to PECB section on ISO 20121 Lead Auditor Exams
After successfully completing the exam, participants can apply for the credentials of Certified ISO 20121 Provisional Auditor, Certified ISO 20121 Auditor or Certified ISO 20121 Lead Auditor depending on their level of experience. Those credentials are available for internal and external auditors.
A certificate will be issued to participants who successfully passed the exam and comply with all the other requirements related to the selected credential.
For more information about ISO 20121 certifications and PECB certification process, refer to PECB section on ISO 20121 Lead Auditor Certification.

General Information
Exam and certification fees are included in the training price
A student manual containing over 450 pages of information and practical examples will be distributed to participants
A participation certificate of 31 CPD (Continuing Professional Development) credits will be issued to participants
In case of failure of the exam, participants are allowed to retake the exam for free under certain conditions