Audit Overview

With any self-assessment, the results are only as good as the responses that users provide (i.e. if performance is understated or exaggerated, the results will not be a true representation). For this reason the Envirostep self-assessment score cannot be used to demonstrate your environmental performance to others, unless you hold a certificate issued by Telarc which validates your score.

Requesting an Audit

You must have completed the Envirostep questionnaire before you can book an audit. We recommend that you complete the Envirostep questionnaire at the performer level of environmental commitment before requesting an audit, as this will maximise your potential score (note: you cannot change your environmental commitment once an audit has been requested).

Booking Confirmation

Your audit request goes to our Scheduler, who will call you to confirm your details and provide you with a quote. Once you confirm that you want an audit, the Scheduler will arrange for an auditor to visit your site. You will receive an invoice once the audit is completed.

Audit Process

The Auditor has online access to your answers and report. They will ensure that you have met the audit prequalification criteria and that your answers are valid. The Auditor will then advise you of their findings and give you an opportunity to clarify their understanding (if required). A typical on-site audit should be completed within two hours.

Audit Outcomes

• you have not met the audit prequalification criteria (the audit could not start and you will not receive a certificate or refund)
• all answers are validated (your self-assessment score is confirmed and certification is recommended)
• some answers are not validated, but you change your response so they can be validated (your revised score is confirmed and certification is recommended)
• some answers are not validated and you do not change your response (you will not be able to receive a certificate).
• some answers are not validated and you wish to challenge the audit outcome (the Auditor registers a dispute with the Envirostep Administrator, who will make a binding decision)

Certification

To reduct the risk of fraud, an Auditor cannot issue an Envirostep certificate (they recommend to the Envirostep Administrator that a certificate is issued). The Envirostep Administrator peer reviews the audit process and issues a certificate if they are satisfied that:

• the site has met prequalification requirements, and
• a qualified Auditor performed a satisfactory audit

The following links provide further information about auditing and verification of Envirostep assessments:

• Audit Prequalification Criteria
• Booking an Audit
• Audit Fees
• Approved Auditors
• Audit Terms & Conditions
• Becoming an Auditor

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