PECB ISO-14001-Lead-Auditor Exam - Topic 3 Question 1 Discussion

Actual exam question for PECB's ISO-14001-Lead-Auditor exam

Question #: 1
Topic #: 3

A small services organisation has been contracted to handle the disposal of waste for a local hospital. You are an auditor conducting a Stage 2 audit of the care home to ISO 14001. You are reviewing the contract with the Service Manager (SM). An addendum to the contract only requires that biological waste is disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way, without reference to any regulatory requirements.

You: How was the waste disposal plan for the contract developed?

SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed. Some of that is specified by the contractor.

You: How does the plan deal with specific items like biological waste, which are included in the contract and can pose biological hazards to the environment?

SM: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.

You: Are you aware of the regulatory requirements for waste disposal standards in hospitals?

SM: Yes but we depend on the contractor to look after that side of things.

You raise a nonconformity against section 8.1.d of ISO 14001.

At the Stage 2 closing meeting of the audit, the EMS Manager objects to the nonconformity raised and asks for it to be withdrawn. He insists that they meet all the regulations.

Choose one of the options that the audit team leader should take in response to the request.

AOffer to downgrade the nonconformity to an opportunity for improvement if the organisation can prove its compliance with regulations.

BConfirm that it is a valid nonconformity supported by a lack of evidence for meeting the requirement.

CAdvise that the nonconformity will be reconsidered after the meeting.

DConsult with the auditor who raised the nonconformity and ask whether he will agree to withdraw it.

Show Suggested Answer

Suggested Answer: B

by Niesha at Jul 07, 2025, 09:43 PM

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Antonio

5 months ago

I doubt they can prove compliance without proper documentation.

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Shaun

6 months ago

Downgrading to an opportunity sounds like a cop-out. Stick to the standards!

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Terry

6 months ago

Surprised they think they can just depend on the contractor. That's risky!

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Albert

6 months ago

I agree, regulations are there for a reason. Can't just ignore them!

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Tonette

6 months ago

They should definitely confirm the nonconformity. No evidence means no compliance!

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Toshia

7 months ago

I feel like option D could lead to unnecessary delays. We should stick to the evidence we have and not let them sway us without proof.

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Major

7 months ago

This situation reminds me of a practice question where we had to evaluate evidence for compliance. I think option B might be the strongest choice since they didn't provide any proof.

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Joye

7 months ago

I'm a bit unsure about the best response here. I think confirming the nonconformity is valid makes sense, but I wonder if downgrading it could be a better approach if they can prove compliance.

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Brandon

7 months ago

I remember we discussed how important it is to have clear evidence of compliance with regulations during our ISO 14001 training.

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Tracie

7 months ago

Okay, I think I've got a handle on this. The key is that the contract only requires "environmentally friendly" disposal, not necessarily compliance with regulations. So the auditor is right to raise a nonconformity, since there's no evidence the service manager is actually meeting regulatory requirements. I'd stick with confirming the nonconformity unless they can provide that proof.

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Horace

8 months ago

Hmm, this is a tricky one. The service manager is insisting they meet all regulations, but the auditor found a nonconformity. I'm not sure if I'd feel comfortable downgrading the nonconformity without clear proof of compliance. Confirming the nonconformity seems like the safest approach, unless the auditor can be convinced to reconsider.

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Lynsey

8 months ago

This question seems straightforward, but I want to make sure I understand the key details before deciding on a response. The contract only requires "environmentally friendly" disposal of biological waste, without mentioning regulatory requirements. The service manager claims they meet all regulations, but the auditor found a nonconformity. I'll need to carefully review the evidence and regulations to determine the best course of action.

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Ma

10 months ago

B) Confirm that it is a valid nonconformity supported by a lack of evidence for meeting the requirement.

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Wilburn

10 months ago

I object to the nonconformity raised and ask for it to be withdrawn. We meet all the regulations.

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Stephen

10 months ago

Yes but we depend on the contractor to look after that side of things.

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An

10 months ago

Are you aware of the regulatory requirements for waste disposal standards in hospitals?

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Candra

10 months ago

Option B is the way to go. The auditor raised a valid nonconformity, and the organization needs to address it, not just try to get it withdrawn. They can't just wave their hands and say 'we meet the regulations' without proof.

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Dianne

9 months ago

SM: Yes but we depend on the contractor to look after that side of things.

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Aretha

9 months ago

SM: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.

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Shannan

9 months ago

SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed. Some of that is specified by the contractor.

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Stephen

10 months ago

The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.

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An

10 months ago

How does the plan deal with specific items like biological waste, which are included in the contract and can pose biological hazards to the environment?

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Stephen

10 months ago

We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed. Some of that is specified by the contractor.

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An

10 months ago

How was the waste disposal plan for the contract developed?

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Christiane

10 months ago

This sounds like a classic case of 'passing the buck'. The organization should take ownership of the waste disposal process, not just rely on the contractor. What could possibly go wrong? *nervous laughter*

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Mitsue

10 months ago

You: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.

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Estrella

10 months ago

SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed. Some of that is specified by the contractor.

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Evangelina

11 months ago

I'd go with B. The nonconformity is valid if they can't provide evidence of meeting the ISO 14001 requirement. The EMS Manager can't just demand it be withdrawn without proof of compliance.

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Trinidad

10 months ago

You: Confirm that it is a valid nonconformity supported by a lack of evidence for meeting the requirement.

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Lavera

10 months ago

EMS Manager: He insists that they meet all the regulations.

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Gilma

10 months ago

SM: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.

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Carole

10 months ago

SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed. Some of that is specified by the contractor.

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Werner

11 months ago

Hmm, this is a tricky one. The organization needs to be aware of the regulatory requirements, not just depend on the contractor. They can't just say 'the contractor looks after that' - they're responsible for the whole waste disposal process.

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