Internal audits should be carried out to control if the system works according to its purpose. In addition, it is important that corrective and preventive actions are addressed and documented in accordance with the system. It is important that there is a system that captures nonconformities and that corrections happen both continuously and periodically.

 What should be done

Internal audits should be conducted at planned intervals to ensure:

The audit and documentation may well be coordinated with other plans and audits.

Elements that should be included in an internal audit
A good overview of the current energy performance Assess whether the energy management system works according to its purpose, and the processes and the systems Compare the results with KPIs and energy goals Give information that can be used for benchmarking Analyse problems and nonconformities, and map causes and weaknesses Identify possibilities for further improvement

 Who should be involved

The organisation should ensure that the audits are carried out by competent persons. Selection of auditors and carrying out of audits shall ensure objectivity and impartiality in the audit process. In the organisation, the management’s representative, the energy manager and energy team should be involved. Results shall be reported to the top management.

 What should be documented

The internal audit shall address the documentation from monitoring and measurement, as well as for the corrective and preventive measures. This includes documentation of actual and possible nonconformities, as well as reasons for the nonconformity. In addition, this information shall include descriptions of corrective and preventive measures.

An audit report shall be prepared in connection with the internal audit. An example of contents in a report is given in the box below.

Suggestion for contents of an energy audit report

Brief description of the organisation and facilities inspected. This includes among others processes, products and systems. Energy sources and energy use. Summary of the organisation’s energy policy. KPIs and energy goals. The achievement of energy goals and KPI status. Identified nonconformities and the risk of nonconformities since the last internal audit, as well as the status of corrective and preventive measures. Assessment of whether the energy management system functions according to its purpose. Suggestions for further improvements.

Records of the results from audits shall be kept and reported to the top management.

 Challenges and opportunities

It can be a challenge that the audit does not put sufficient emphasis on energy efficiency and possibilities. To address this, it may be advantageous to involve the energy team when planning and executing the audit. At the same time it is important that the audit remains independent and not influenced by those working with energy challenges on a daily basis.

 Where do you find this in ISO 50001?