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Auditing FAQs

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Questions related to Disposal Facilities

When will I be audited?

There is a schedule of when each disposal facility is to be audited.  The schedule is subject to change, and all audits will be random.

How often will I be audited?

All registered disposal facilities can expect to be audited at least once every three years.

How long will an audit take?

At this stage it is expected an audit will take between 3-5 days depending on the size of the facility.

Will I see a copy of my audit?

A copy of the audit report will be supplied to the disposal facility operator.

Will I be able to comment on the result of my audit?

There will be a chance for any party audited in relation to the Waste Minimisation Act to discuss their audit with the Ministry for the Environment once the auditor has finalised their audit report.

Who will see the results of my audit?

The Ministry for the Environment and the audited party will be the recipients of the audit report. 

Important note: There may, however, be instances where the Minister or the Select Committee requests to see the audit result.  Information held by the Minister and the Ministry could be subject to disclosure under the Official Information Act, 1982 (OIA).  Information could be released under the OIA in response to a request from a member of the public for that information.  Grounds for withholding information must always be balanced against public interest considerations that may justify release.  The Ministry can not give any guarantees as to whether information can be withheld under the OIA.    

Is my information kept confidential?

Yes.  All audit documents are stored in a secure electronic system that can only be accessed by authorised Ministry staff who need to use audit results in their work.   

Important note: There may, however, be instances where the Minister or the Select Committee requests to see the audit result. Information held by the Minister and the Ministry could be subject to disclosure under the Official Information Act, 1982 (OIA).  Information could be released under the OIA in response to a request from a member of the public for that information.  Grounds for withholding information must always be balanced against public interest considerations that may justify release.  The Ministry can not give any guarantees as to whether information can be withheld under the OIA  

Under what authority can an auditor enter my facility?

The Waste Minimisation Act gives the auditor power, in specific circumstances, to enter a premises to gain information in order to conduct an audit.

Will the audit cost me anything?

No.

How much notice will I get before I am audited?

A minimum of 5 working days.

My records are stored on more than one site.  Which site will the auditor visit?

When the auditor notifies you that an audit is about to commence you will have the opportunity to inform the auditor where your records are stored and which site they will need to visit to obtain all records.

Who can be audited?

Any disposal facility registered in the Online Waste Levy System (OWLS)

Questions related to the Waste Minimisation Fund

Will I be audited?

Up to 10% of projects that are approved in a funding round will be identified for scheduled audit and an audit schedule will be established. The audit schedule will be reviewed and updated as part of each Waste Minimisation Fund project funding cycle.

Additional audits may be scheduled when concerns are identified with projects that are not already included in the scheduled audit programme.

Will I know in advance if I am going to audited?

If the audit is provided for in the terms of the Waste Minimisation Fund funding then it may be scheduled around a milestone or it may occur randomly.  If it is random the auditor will give a minimum of 5 working days before commencing an audit.

Will I see a copy of my audit?

A copy of the audit report will be supplied to the Waste Minimisation Fund project manager.

Will I be able to comment on the result of my audit?

There will be the opportunity for any party audited in relation to the Waste Minimisation Act to discuss their audit with the Ministry for the Environment once the auditor has finalised their audit report.

Last updated: 26 November 2009