5 Best Environmental Compliance Auditing Firms in Australia
An environmental audit helps industries undertake more sustainable practices, reducing their environmental footprint. Additionally, a strong reputation for responsibility builds credibility with stakeholders and customers. This way, companies can reach environmentally-conscious customers more. But what are the parameters of choosing environmental compliance auditing firms in Australia? Let’s find out first.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Compliance Auditing Firms
By selecting the right firm, companies progress towards successful environmental auditing. The best firms have relevant accreditations and certifications, such as ISO 14001. Their industry experience is also vital, as is a wide range of services, from audits to remediation. Here are the key criteria to choose the best compliance auditing firm for environmental site assessment.
- Expertise in environmental regulation: The audit firm needs to have expertise regarding Australia’s local, state, and national environmental laws.
- Understanding of the industry: The audit firm must have a proper knowledge of the industry in which its client operates. It is better to choose an audit firm with a proven track record of success.
- Certifications: The environmental audit firm must have relevant certifications and accreditation. They should know how to implement an ISO 14001 EMS.
- Reporting Clarity: The company must provide a clear report after conducting the environmental site assessment. This report should contain the findings, risks, and recommendations to mitigate the risks.
Now that you know how to choose an environmental compliance firm in Australia, here are 5 leading firms that have proven records and compliance.
Top Firms for Environment Compliance Auditing in Australia
These environmental auditing firms in Australia are leading firms, and they work in different industries with years of experience.
#1: Site Environmental & Remediation Services Pty Ltd (SERS)
One of the leading site assessment and environmental compliance auditing firms in Australia, SERS specializes in providing cost-effective and client-focused environmental project management. The company was founded in 2008. They have a team with technical expertise in areas like occupational health & safety, hazardous materials, and contaminated land. SERS has its main office in Brisbane and branch offices in Perth and Sydney.
Services Offered
The company offers a wide range of services. These include Asbestos & Occupational Hygiene Services (air monitoring, testing, inspections), Contaminated Land Services (site assessments, waste classification), and Environmental Monitoring (dust, noise, and vibration). The company also conducts dilapidation surveys.
Certifications
SERS has a NATA-accredited fibre counting laboratory at its Brisbane head office.
Industries Covered
SERS mainly covers the mining and construction industries and other property sectors.
Auditing Approach
The company uses advanced technologies and sampling methods to identify contamination from the suspected site. It also conducts emission testing frequently and allows a thorough environmental audit for its clients.
#2: Senversa
Founded in 2009, Senversa is an Australian environmental consulting firm that stands out for having a large in-house team of expert environmental auditors. This allows them to provide cost-effective and collaborative services, managing a wide range of environmental audits. Senversa offers its service throughout Australia and works with the local and federal EPAs.
Services Offered
Senversa provides a comprehensive range of services in the environmental, sustainability, and engineering fields. The company offers comprehensive environmental site assessment, contaminated site investigations, remedial feasibility assessments, site remediation, and independent technical reviews. Plus, it also provides specialized audits for different projects in energy infrastructure and urban developments.
Associations
Senversa is frequently appointed by the respective government authorities in various Australian states, such as the EPA in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Industries Covered
The company has a wide range of expertise spanning a variety of industries. Senversa has conducted environmental project management in sectors like urban development, energy infrastructure, mining, agribusiness, property, and construction. It has completed over 200 environmental audits across these diverse sectors.
Auditing Approach
Senversa’s auditing approach is collaborative and depends on the expertise of its in-house team. This allows the company to tailor the assessment services to a client’s specific needs and complete audits in a cost-effective manner.
#3: Umwelt
With an established presence of more than 30 years, Umwelt is a leading Australian, majority employee-owned environmental and social professional services consultancy focused on sustainability. Umwelt’s head office is located in New South Wales. It also has branch offices in Perth and Canberra.
Services Offered
Umwelt provides diverse environmental compliance services, which include EIA, ecology, environmental management, heritage, hydrogeology, and water management. Umwelt has a multidisciplinary team working across Australia.
Certifications
Umwelt has an ISO 9001:2015 certification, which tells about their credibility.
Industries Covered
Umwelt has made its presence known in sectors such as renewable energies, resources, defence, infrastructure, and urban development.
Auditing Approach
Umwelt’s auditing approach is supported by a team of lead auditors and technical experts. They share their extensive knowledge in environmental auditing and due diligence reviews. Furthermore, the company also performs a variety of audits, including independent, internal, management system, and operational performance audits.
#4: NRA Environmental Consultants
Natural Resource Assessments Pty Ltd (NRA) is a professional environmental management firm established in 1984. The company has expertise of more than 40 years, and its services span multiple industries. Their head office is located in Queensland, and they operate in the country.
Services Offered
The company offers high-quality environmental management services, including third-party compliance audits, environmental project management system audits, and due diligence audits. In addition, they also offer services related to erosion and sediment control, energy audits, and sustainability surveys.
Certifications
NRA works by implementing an Integrated Management System that is certified to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality), ISO 14001:2015 (Environment), and ISO 45001:2018 (Safety).
Industries Covered
NRA has completed environmental assessment projects in the private, public, and community sectors, such as industrial, mining, and Defence.
Auditing Approach
NRA’s auditing approach adheres to assessing the compliance against Commonwealth and State legislation, as well as operational audits. The company handles documentation, systems, and field operations following the best practices of environmental management.
#5: MBS Environmental
MBS Environmental is a Perth-based environmental consulting firm with more than 40 years of experience. They provide their expertise thanks to their capable team of geochemists, environmental engineers, and geoscientists.
Services Offered
MBS Environmental’s key work includes Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) & Approvals, auditing, environmental site assessment, and Rehabilitation, particularly for the mining industry.
Associations
MBS Environmental is a member of the WALGA Preferred Supplier (Western Australian Local Government Association) panel.
Industries Covered
The company mainly covers the mining sector and emphasizes the resource and infrastructure development sectors, contributing to exploration, construction, and operations stages.
Auditing Approach
The company conducts environmental management audits for regulatory and internal purposes. It conducts site inspections and technical reviews of the site.
Wrapping Up
Environmental compliance audits are crucial for businesses to ensure legal adherence and maintain a sustainable approach. Several reputed Australian environmental compliance audit firms are streamlining the process and making the approach more reliable and stable. By choosing the right compliance firm, companies ensure long-term compliance success.
Consult Certified Australian Environmental Audit Firms!
Want to conduct an environmental audit? Consult any of the listed firms and stay proactive in the environmental compliance of Australia.
About the Author
