ISO 14001 Foundation Certification ISO 14001 Foundation The Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the PDCA cycle for ISO 14001, which phase is most directly concerned with identifying legal and other environmental compliance obligations?
- Do
- Check
- Act
- Plan (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Plan
The Plan phase is where an organization establishes context, identifies interested parties, determines compliance obligations, and sets the foundation for the EMS — all prerequisites before any action is taken.
Question 2: An organization rolls out employee training on hazardous waste segregation procedures as part of its EMS implementation. This activity belongs to which PDCA phase?
- Plan
- Do (Correct answer)
- Check
- Act
Correct answer: Do
The Do phase covers the implementation and operation of EMS processes, including training, operational controls, and communication activities that put plans into practice.
Question 3: Which PDCA phase in ISO 14001 is primarily responsible for evaluating compliance with applicable legal requirements?
- Plan
- Do
- Act
- Check (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Check
The Check phase encompasses monitoring, measurement, analysis, and evaluation — including compliance evaluation — to determine whether the EMS is performing as intended.
Question 4: After an internal audit reveals repeated non-conformities in a similar area, management decides to revise the entire operational control procedure rather than just fixing the individual instance. This improvement action corresponds to which PDCA phase?
- Plan
- Do
- Check
- Act (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Act
The Act phase addresses continual improvement by taking action on audit findings, implementing systemic corrective actions, and updating EMS elements to prevent recurrence — going beyond a single fix.
Question 5: Setting measurable targets such as reducing energy consumption by 15% within 12 months is an output of which PDCA phase in ISO 14001?
- Check
- Act
- Plan (Correct answer)
- Do
Correct answer: Plan
Environmental objectives and targets — including quantified goals with timeframes — are established during the Plan phase as part of strategic planning within the EMS.
Question 6: An organization conducts a management review meeting to assess the overall suitability and effectiveness of its EMS. This review is an activity in which PDCA phase?
- Do
- Act
- Plan
- Check (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Check
Management review is explicitly listed under the Check phase in ISO 14001 because it evaluates EMS performance data, audit results, and compliance status to determine whether the system is functioning effectively.
ISO 14001 Foundation Certification ISO 14001 Foundation The Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle 1
In the PDCA cycle for ISO 14001, which phase is most directly concerned with identifying legal and other environmental compliance obligations?