A small services organisation has been contracted to handle the disposal of waste for a...

A small services organisation has been contracted to handle the disposal of waste for a local hospital. You are an auditor conducting a Stage 2 audit of the care home to ISO 14001. You are reviewing the contract with the Service Manager (SM). An addendum to the contract only requires that biological waste is disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way, without reference to any regulatory requirements.

You: How was the waste disposal plan for the contract developed?

SM: We have a basic template that covers the materials, labour requirements and methods to be employed. Some of that is specified by the contractor.

You: How does the plan deal with specific items like biological waste, which are included in the contract and can pose biological hazards to the environment?

SM: The basic plan covers general waste, but we have an addendum that covers biological waste.

You: Are you aware of the regulatory requirements for waste disposal standards in hospitals?

SM: Yes but we depend on the contractor to look after that side of things.

You raise a nonconformity against section 8.1.d of ISO 14001.

At the Stage 2 closing meeting of the audit, the EMS Manager objects to the nonconformity raised and asks for it to be withdrawn. He insists that they meet all the regulations.

Choose one of the options that the audit team leader should take in response to the request.