This International Standard provides guidance on the principles of auditing@ managing audit programmes@ conducting quality management system audits and environmental management system audits@ as well as guidance on the competence of quality and environmental management system auditors. It is applicable to all organizations needing to conduct internal or external audits of quality and/or environmental management systems or to manage an audit programme. The application of this International Standard to other types of audit is possible in principle@ provided that special consideration is paid to identifying the competence needed by the audit team members in such cases.