During an ISO 14001 certification audit, the certification auditor will look for several key aspects regarding environmental emergency preparedness and response. They will:
- assess if the organization has identified potential environmental emergency situations, developed and documented procedures to address them, and established a methodology for controlling such situations. These procedures should outline the steps to be taken in the event of an emergency, including containment, communication, and mitigation measures.
- look for specific plans related to potential emergency situations, such as an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan for Fire, Leakage, or Flooding. These plans should detail the actions to be taken, the responsibilities assigned, and the resources required to respond effectively to each type of emergency.
- evaluate if employees and relevant stakeholders have been adequately trained and aware of their roles and responsibilities. Look for records that demonstrate the testing and evaluation of response actions. This can include records of drills, exercises, or tests conducted to assess the effectiveness of the emergency preparedness and response measures
- additionally, review documentation related to drills, exercises, tests conducted, and actual occurrences to assess the effectiveness of emergency preparedness and response measures.
- look for records of actual emergency incidents that have occurred in the organization. These records should include incident reports, investigations, corrective actions taken, and any follow-up procedures implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
- look for evidence of communication protocols in place for notifying relevant authorities in the event of an environmental emergency. This can include documented procedures for reporting incidents, contact lists, or communication records with authorities.
- look for evidence that the organization continuously improves its emergency preparedness and response procedures based on lessons learned from previous incidents or near-misses. This can include records of corrective actions taken, updates to procedures or plans, or evidence of regular reviews and updates to the emergency preparedness and response measures.

It is important to note that the specific evidence required may vary depending on the organization and its specific context. The above list provides a general guideline of the types of evidence to look for during an audit.

Examples:
During an ISO 14001 certification audit to company A, the certification auditor asked:
- Can you provide examples of potential environmental emergency situations that your organization has identified?
- How have you documented the procedures for addressing environmental emergencies such as chemical spills or leaks?
- What measures have you implemented to contain and control the release of hazardous substances during an environmental emergency?
- How do you ensure proper handling and disposal of hazardous substances in the event of an emergency?
- Can you describe the protocols in place for notifying relevant authorities in case of an environmental emergency?
- How do you ensure employees are trained and aware of their roles and responsibilities during an environmental emergency?
- What documentation do you have to demonstrate the effectiveness of your emergency preparedness and response measures, such as drills or exercises?
- How do you continuously improve your environmental emergency preparedness and response procedures based on lessons learned from previous incidents or near-misses?

During an ISO 14001 certification audit of Company B, the certification auditor reviewed the following:
- the documented procedures and plans related to environmental emergency preparedness and response, including contingency plans, standard operating procedures, and communication protocols.
- the availability and suitability of resources and equipment necessary for responding to environmental emergencies. This included personal protective equipment (PPE), spill response kits, containment measures, and communication systems.
- the records related to environmental emergency incidents, including incident reports, investigations, corrective actions, and follow-up procedures.