Discusses quality and environmental management systems integration. Concepts of a system and a “system of systems” are addressed, followed by a description of different management systems, and their interrelations and integration. Subsequently, strategies for integration of the quality system based on the ISO 9001 standard and the ISO 14001 environmental management system are presented. The harmonization of related audit sub‐systems, namely ISO 10011 and ISO 14010/11/12 is also addressed. Finally, a discussion on the development of a generic performance management system is provided.

The need to create integrated management systems (IMS) in order to handle the proliferation of management system standards is undeniable. There is also evidence in literature and practice that organizations are slowly starting to tackle the IMS issue, mainly by putting an integrated quality and environmental management system in place. Due to the existence of internationally accepted standards covering these two fields, namely ISO 9000 and 14000 series, such a scope of integration comes as no surprise. However, can and should other systems, for example, the ones for occupational health and safety, dependability, social accountability or complaints handling, be included? What would such an integration mean for the existing organizational structures and how could be it be accomplished? When we attempt to address IMS issues, do we really talk about the integration of standards, systems, both or neither? These and other important questions regarding IMS are addressed here. By means of an example from the nuclear industry, this paper focuses in particular on the integration of a safety management system within an IMS framework. Since safety is of such a paramount importance in nuclear plants, it makes sense to integrate safety requirements within a quality management system, as a possible first step in the integration efforts. Subsequently, other function-specific requirements may be included to form a "real" IMS.

Trends in modern management point toward composite and comprehensive management systems that provide for competitive performance in the global economy. Management system audits are widely used to ensure compliance with planned arrangements and improvement of business performance. This paper addresses the harmonization and integration of audits of different management systems. The current international auditing standards for quality (ISO 10011) and environmental (ISO 14010/11/12) management are reviewed. A detailed comparison of the form, structure and content of these standards is provided. Subsequently, criteria for “best auditing practice” are illustrated. The possibilities of harmonizing audit standards, and integrating them with the current best audit practice are assessed. Integration on the basis of the systems approach is suggested. Finally, it is concluded that integrated audits and audit standards will emerge in the very near future.

An “effective audit” cannot be taken for granted, even though it is performed by trained professionals using proven techniques and in accordance with internationally accepted standards. Recent highly publicized cases in both financial and quality auditing point to the need to further examine the meaning of audit effectiveness, as well as the methods to improve it. Specifically, audit reliability and risk as two related components of audit effectiveness are focused on. The term and concept of QMS audit effectiveness are analyzed first, followed by a list of the relevant principles and criteria for measuring and improving this effectiveness. Finally, two cases from the nuclear industry are used to illustrate the importance of measuring and improving QMS audit effectiveness.

Quality audits are prominent and proven management tools for assessing compliance and effectiveness of quality systems. They are commonly used in the effort to improve overall business performance. However, similarly to any other physical or conceptual system, they may fail to achieve objectives set forth, raising concerns among auditees and clients alike. Argues for the provision of adequate confidence to various interested parties in the quality of auditing services. A quality audit is conceptualized using the systems approach. Subsequently, a quality assurance framework based on the application of the 1994 and 2000 versions of the ISO 9001 standard in auditing is presented. Audit system effectiveness is modeled using the concepts of audit reliability, availability and suitability. Audit failures, risks and maintainability are addressed in detail. It is concluded that audit managers must ensure appropriate levels of quality and effectiveness of quality audit systems.