Environmental monitoring and auditing (EM&A) typically comprises of monitoring, assessment and auditing of construction activities by qualified environmental engineers, scientists and/or a multi-disciplinary team of environmental specialists. The goal is to ensure the operational, site characteristics and general housekeeping procedures comply with the stipulated requirements and regulations.

A comprehensive EM&A will usually include the following activities:

1. Review applicable regulations and prepare compliance audit checklists;
2. Summarize all existing regulations and anticipated requirements;
3. Characterize the site in terms of potential environmental risks;
4. Perform environmental monitoring;
5. Identify key site features which minimize or promote risk;
6. Evaluate the facilities, construction and operational practices;
7. Evaluate structural and procedural characteristics which affect compliance;
8. Evaluate operations to assess efficient resource utilization;
9. Assess waste generation, hazardous materials handling, safety, and monitoring processes;
10. Examine emergency response equipment and review the emergency response plans and contingencies;
11. Document areas of compliance and non-compliance; and
12. Provide suggestions for mitigation and remediation.

EM&A minimizes the potential for environmental impacts and associated litigation and clean-up costs.

Independent Environmental Checker (IEC) is one of the key parties under an EM&A program and duties include:

1. Carry out independent environmental audit;
2. Review and audit in an independent, objective and professional manner in all aspects of the EM&A program;
3. Validate and confirm the accuracy of monitoring results; appropriateness of monitoring equipment, monitoring locations with reference to the locations of the nearby sensitive receivers, and monitoring procedures;
4. Carry out random sample check and audit on monitoring data and sampling procedures, etc,
5. Audit the EIA recommendations and requirements against the status of implementation of environmental protection measures on site;
6. Review the effectiveness of environmental mitigation measures and project environmental performance;
7. Verify and certify environmental acceptability of the construction methodology, relevant design plans and submissions under the environmental permit;
8. Verify investigation results of complaint cases and the effectiveness of corrective measures; and
9. Verify EM&A report submitted by Environmental Team Leader.