Professional Documents
Culture Documents
BSC 5 Star Program
BSC 5 Star Program
Environmental Audit
Specification August 2018
Membership · Training · Qualifications · Audit and Consultancy · Policy and Opinion · Awards
Contents Page
1 Introduction to the Five Star Audit model 1
2 Five Star Audit process 2
3 Scoring and grading system 3
4 Audit report and action planning 4
5 Preparing for the audit 5
6 Standardisation and quality assurance 5
7 Specification details 6
8 Specification guidance 7
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 D
1. Introduction to the
Five Star Audit model
Pl
ct a
A
n
Evaluation Organisational
and continual leadership,
improvement commitment
and planning
Five Best
Practice
Indicators
Performance Implementation
monitoring and and operation
measurement
k
ec
D
o
Ch
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 1
2. Five Star Audit process
During the audit process, management, staff and relevant stakeholders will
be interviewed (as agreed) to discuss aspects of environmental management
performance relevant to their roles and responsibilities.
Review of environmental
management documentation
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 2
3. Scoring and
grading system
75 – 84.9: Good
(best practice verified in some elements)
60 – 74.9: Adequate
(significant improvements required to achieve
best practice)
The remodeled Five Star Environmental Audit process focuses on four sections
(51 elements) and five best practice indicators (BPI) as shown below:
Section Audit criteria Maximum accredited audit figure
1. Organisational leadership, 1,750 points
commitment and planning
2. Implementation and operation 1,500 points
3. Performance monitoring 1,000 points
and measurement
4. Evaluation and continual 750 points
improvement
Total: 5,000 points
The four sections of the audit are divided into 51 elements which attract a maximum
numerical value of 5000 points. Some of these elements are considered as essential
components to improve environmental management performance, reflected by their
inclusion within more than one section of the audit model. Wherever an element
of the audit is not applicable to the organisation, it is excluded from the audit.
Individual element findings and outcomes are detailed within the subsequent
audit report.
Throughout the audit, five best practice indicators are evaluated either as elements
in their own right, or alternatively as scoring areas within other elements.
The overall scoring for each of these five indicators is illustrated separately within
the report’s executive summary against an indicative level of best practice. This
aspect of the audit process is designed to encourage organisations to focus
upon continually improving their environmental performance and enhance the
environmental pillar of an organisations sustainability journey. Central to this
goal is effective leadership, stakeholder engagement, identification of risks and
opportunities, supply chain management and continual improvement at all levels.
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 3
4. Audit report and
action planning
Grading system
Colour code Priority Definition
High: Recommendations to be
Less than 60% awarded implemented as a high
in this element priority action
Medium: Recommendations to be
Between 60% and 100% implemented as a medium
awarded in this element priority action
Low: Monitor existing arrangements
100% awarded in this element in this area to demonstrate
continuous improvement
Not applicable The requirements of this element
are not applicable
The green coded area indicates full marks have been awarded in respect of the
Five Star Environmental Audit scoring criteria based on audit evidence during
document review, site inspection(s) and interview. The organisation should
continue to monitor these elements in order to maintain best practice.
The amber coded area indicates where some marks have been deducted.
The red coded area indicates where significant marks have been deducted in
respect of the Five Star Environmental Audit scoring criteria
If any elements of the audit specification are not applicable to the audited
organisation then these will be left blank within the relevant table and
indicated as N/A.
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 4
5. Preparing
for the audit
All British Safety Council auditors are mindful of operational demands and
requirements and will apply as much flexibility with the audit schedule as is
reasonably practicable to accommodate such matters.
6. Standardisation and
quality assurance
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 5
7. Specification details
Element headings
Plan Do Check Act
Section 1 Organisational leadership, Section 2 Implementation Section 3 Performance Section 4 Evaluation and
commitment and planning and operation monitoring and measurement continual improvement
1.01 Leadership and commitment 2.01 Management, control 3.01 Testing and calibration of 4.01 Top management review.
and minimisation of environmental monitoring
greenhouse gases and equipment
fluorinated gases (F-gases)
1.02 Scope and context of 2.02 Management, control and 3.02 Monitoring of environmental 4.02 Review of effectiveness of
environmental management minimisation of ozone objectives leadership, resources and
system depleting substances support
1.03 Status review (including 2.03 Management, control 3.03 Monitoring of environmental 4.03 Opportunities for
benchmarking) and minimisation of other programmes and plan(s) environmental improvement
gaseous emissions
1.04 Legislative (and other) 2.04 Management, control 3.04 Environmental management 4.04 Corporate social responsibility
compliance and minimisation of system auditing (internal and
environmental nuisance external)
1.05 Stakeholder identification, 2.05 Management, control and 3.05 Monitoring of procurement, 4.05 Evaluation of legislative (and
consultation and participation minimisation of energy outsourcing and contractors. other) compliance
1.06 Environmental (and other 2.06 Management, control and 3.06 Effectiveness of information, 4.06 Evaluation of competence
related) Policy(ies) minimisation of water use data and communication and capability (including
and discharges management behavioural)
1.07 Structure (roles, responsibilities, 2.07 Management, control and 3.07 Environmental accident, 4.07 Evaluation of organisational
accountabilities and authorities) minimisation of raw material incident, near miss report environmental culture
resources and assets and investigation monitoring
1.08 Risk management and 2.08 Management, control and 3.08 Loss/damage analysis 4.08 Stakeholder reporting
assessment of opportunities minimisation of waste
1.09 Environmental objectives 2.09 Management, control and 3.09 Non-conformance and 4.09 Future sustainability
minimisation of hazardous corrective actions programmes
substance/chemicals
1.10 Environmental programmes and 2.10 Protection and 3.10 Monitoring of competence
planning enhancement of and capability (including
biodiversity behaviours)
1.11 Provision of resources and 2.11 Management and control 3.11 Monitoring of organisational
support of contaminated land environmental culture
1.12 Competence and capability 2.12 Management and
(including environmental application of local
behaviours) environmental planning
conditions (including
environmental impact
assessment)
1.13 Change management 2.13 Management, control and
minimisation of transport
and travel planning
1.14 Information, data and 2.14 Eco-design for
communication management manufacturing
1.15 Procurement, outsourcing and 2.15 Implementing crisis
contractor management management and business
continuity plans
1.16 Crisis management and business
continuity
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 6
8. Specification guidance
Five Star Environmental Audit 2018: Specification details. (Please note: This table contains typical information
likely to be reviewed during the audit process, but is not a definitive index).
Plan Do Check Act
Subject area Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4
Organisational leadership, Implementation Performance monitoring Evaluation and continual
commitment and planning and operation and measurement improvement
(1,750 points) (1,500 points) (1,000 points) (750 points)
Leadership and A policy statement, endorsed Evidence that the Interviews with senior Evidence that top
commitment by senior management, that is documented policy statement operational management, management promote a
appropriate to the purpose of the is being communicated staff and stakeholders, positive environmental
organisation and appropriate to the to, and understood by including contractors and culture, carry out a formal
nature, scale and environmental employees, management and suppliers as necessary review of the current policy
impacts of its activities, products other interested parties via statement and associated
Demonstrable commitment
and services as well risks and appropriate communication EMS performance
and evidence of promoting a
opportunities channels (verified through commitments
positive environmental culture
interview) supporting the
Policy provides a framework for (verified through interview) at Interview with top
promotion of a positive
setting environmental objectives all levels management
environmental culture
with a commitment to prevention
of pollution and protection of the Minutes of top management Primary related elements
Effective implementation
environment, specific to the context and other relevant meetings All section elements where
of policy commitments
of the site/organisation, and a applicable
and statements through Primary related elements
commitment to satisfy applicable observation and interviews (3.03) (3.04) (3.07) (3.09)
requirements compliance obligations
Provision of resources to
Policy statement consistent with the implement best practice
scope of the EMS and in line with all managerial, practical and
business/corporate requirements procedural controls for each
Other related policy statements of the clauses.
(where applicable) including energy,
Primary related elements
waste, and sustainability policies
All section elements where
Defined roles and responsibilities applicable
within the EMS
Understanding of key
governmental and sector
environmental/sustainability
strategies in the context of the
organisation and scope of the EMS
Establishment of appropriate
environmental objectives and
targets, and actions to achieve them.
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 7
8. Specification guidance cont.
Evidence of stakeholder
involvement in EMS objective
setting and planning
Evidence of a range of
environmental forums using
a range of appropriate
communication channels
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 8
8. Specification guidance cont.
Identification of adequate
resources for current needs
Demonstrable management
support for lines of responsibility
Appraisal planning
Evidence of stakeholder
engagement (minutes of meetings,
training, etc)
Demonstrable involvement in
promoting a positive environmental
management culture
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 9
8. Specification guidance cont.
Considering a life-cycle
perspective with regards to the
organisation’s activities, products
and services
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 10
8. Specification guidance cont.
Implementation of operational
controls and environmental
best practices
Evidence of stakeholder
engagement during setting
of objectives
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 11
8. Specification guidance cont.
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 12
8. Specification guidance cont.
© British Safety Council 2018 Five Star Environmental Audit specification 2018 13
No-one should
be injured or
made ill at work.