Sep 22, 2021
The Environmental Auditors’ Association of Mongolia to become the first professional association to introduce international certification standards
Ulaanbaatar. 22 September 2021. With the assistance of the Australia Mongolia Extractives Program (AMEP 2), the Environmental Auditors’ Association of Mongolia (EAAM) adopts two schemes that certify environmental auditors and auditing companies. The certification system that meets international standards is to assure professional standards and help Mongolia attract investment in the extractives sector.
There are 35 Auditing companies and 164 Environmental Auditors in Mongolia. About 75% of the Environmental Auditors or 123 out of 164 and 50% of Auditing companies or 18 out of 35 are members of the EAAM, making it an established professional organization in the country. The first of the two schemes are developed to certify the professional standards of environmental auditors, while the second scheme is designed to assure quality work of auditing companies. Ms. L. Tungalag, ISO Consultant to AMEP 2 states, “These certification systems are voluntary compared to mandatory schemes that are currently in place. The main difference is that by adopting these certification systems that are compliant with ISO/IEC 17024 and ISO/IEC 17064, Mongolian auditors’ services will be internationally recognized and accepted. There are always doubts about certificates that are attached to newly launched services and goods in the market. However, certification schemes that are based on ISO standards indicate that qualified experts follow appropriate processes and procedures that are fair and free of conflicts of interests.”
“Being certified by the professional association is more convincing of environmental auditors’ skills rather than simply saying to clients that ‘I’m qualified’” said Mr. O. Altansukh, Executive Director of the EAAM. The EAAM believes that there should be, at least, six experts to conduct quality environmental auditing. This includes experts specialized in waste management, air quality and gas emission, soil, and land management, reclamation, biodiversity, chemical hazards, and toxic elements, and water management. Professor Altansukh added, “To be able to conduct quality auditing, environmental auditors need to visit the project site at least once or twice, understand the technology, and review all aspects of the operation, including human resources and policies. They can advise clients on ways to minimize social and environmental impacts after understanding the whole system of management and deliverables. As a result of such a work, social and environmental impacts are minimized; mining companies become reliable creditors and increase their reputations, and Mongolia can attract foreign investment and grow our economy sustainably.”
Mr. David Preston, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Mongolia stated, “Good environmental auditing provides investors with assurance that their investment is safe and that management systems are in place to ensure that projects meet their environmental and social obligations. It is our pleasure that Australia has been able to share our experiences in the environmental auditing area with the EAAM who is now capable to certify its members.”
Environmental auditing is a professional service offered by experts whose work is aimed at minimizing social and environmental impact caused by major projects in the mining, construction, and agricultural sectors. The term environmental auditing first entered Mongolia in 2012 with the revised law on environmental protection. In 2013, the United Nations Development Program trained Mongolia first 64 environmental auditors. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has been providing policy guidance for environmental auditing in Mongolia.
The certification systems introduced by the EAAM marks the first occasion that Mongolians, themselves, developed and adopted schemes that were based on international standards. Many international mining projects in Mongolia often hire environmental auditors from abroad. Now, the competency of Mongolian environmental auditors is increased because they can be certified. Mongolian auditors’ works can be well recognized in both domestic and international markets. Clients can have confidence in the standard of auditors they engage to complete mandatory environmental audits.
Please visit eaamongolia.org for more information.
There are 35 Auditing companies and 164 Environmental Auditors in Mongolia. About 75% of the Environmental Auditors or 123 out of 164 and 50% of Auditing companies or 18 out of 35 are members of the EAAM, making it an established professional organization in the country. The first of the two schemes are developed to certify the professional standards of environmental auditors, while the second scheme is designed to assure quality work of auditing companies. Ms. L. Tungalag, ISO Consultant to AMEP 2 states, “These certification systems are voluntary compared to mandatory schemes that are currently in place. The main difference is that by adopting these certification systems that are compliant with ISO/IEC 17024 and ISO/IEC 17064, Mongolian auditors’ services will be internationally recognized and accepted. There are always doubts about certificates that are attached to newly launched services and goods in the market. However, certification schemes that are based on ISO standards indicate that qualified experts follow appropriate processes and procedures that are fair and free of conflicts of interests.”
“Being certified by the professional association is more convincing of environmental auditors’ skills rather than simply saying to clients that ‘I’m qualified’” said Mr. O. Altansukh, Executive Director of the EAAM. The EAAM believes that there should be, at least, six experts to conduct quality environmental auditing. This includes experts specialized in waste management, air quality and gas emission, soil, and land management, reclamation, biodiversity, chemical hazards, and toxic elements, and water management. Professor Altansukh added, “To be able to conduct quality auditing, environmental auditors need to visit the project site at least once or twice, understand the technology, and review all aspects of the operation, including human resources and policies. They can advise clients on ways to minimize social and environmental impacts after understanding the whole system of management and deliverables. As a result of such a work, social and environmental impacts are minimized; mining companies become reliable creditors and increase their reputations, and Mongolia can attract foreign investment and grow our economy sustainably.”
Mr. David Preston, First Secretary of the Australian Embassy in Mongolia stated, “Good environmental auditing provides investors with assurance that their investment is safe and that management systems are in place to ensure that projects meet their environmental and social obligations. It is our pleasure that Australia has been able to share our experiences in the environmental auditing area with the EAAM who is now capable to certify its members.”
Environmental auditing is a professional service offered by experts whose work is aimed at minimizing social and environmental impact caused by major projects in the mining, construction, and agricultural sectors. The term environmental auditing first entered Mongolia in 2012 with the revised law on environmental protection. In 2013, the United Nations Development Program trained Mongolia first 64 environmental auditors. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has been providing policy guidance for environmental auditing in Mongolia.
The certification systems introduced by the EAAM marks the first occasion that Mongolians, themselves, developed and adopted schemes that were based on international standards. Many international mining projects in Mongolia often hire environmental auditors from abroad. Now, the competency of Mongolian environmental auditors is increased because they can be certified. Mongolian auditors’ works can be well recognized in both domestic and international markets. Clients can have confidence in the standard of auditors they engage to complete mandatory environmental audits.
Please visit eaamongolia.org for more information.
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