Canada Energy Regulator (CER) Updated Operations Audit Protocols and Guidance Document

File OF-Surv-OpAud 0101
6 July 2021

To: All Companies under the Canada Energy Regulator’s Jurisdiction

Canada Energy Regulator (CER) Updated Operations Audit Protocols and Guidance Document

The CER is releasing an updated Audit Protocols and Guidance Document. Effective today (6 July 2021) the CER will be using these audit protocols to conduct its audits.

Audits are one of the CER’s compliance verification activities (CVAs) available to confirm that regulated companies are managing their risks and meeting all of their legal requirements connected to their management systems as outlined in the Canadian Energy Regulator Onshore Pipeline Regulations (OPR). A carefully designed and well implemented management system supports a strong culture of safety, and is fundamental to keeping people safe and protecting the environment.

The OPR also requires companies to conduct their own audits of their management system. We expect regulated companies to apply these protocols and guidance to all phases of their pipeline’s lifecycle.

The new audit guidance and protocols provide additional details on how the CER interprets the OPR’s management system requirements. More specifically, they:

  • Provide clarity regarding the CER’s expectations and requirements with respect to Management System sections 6 through 6.6 of the OPR;
  • Provide guidance for the development, establishment and implementation of a company’s management system; and
  • Assist companies in conducting its own internal audits in order to meet the requirements of the OPR and address any gaps in their management system.

Based on past audit results, feedback from industry and learnings collected through various forums over the past several years, the CER recognized that the previous version of the Audit Protocols and Guidance Document needed to be further defined for companies to effectively apply them. With this update, the CER anticipates that companies will be in a better position to test their respective management systems as they will have a clearer understanding of CER expectations for future audits. Company development and implementation of carefully designed Management Systems are fundamental to keeping people safe and protecting the environment.

The new protocols combined with annual Information Advisories, where the CER shares key management system gap areas, will assist companies in strengthening their respective management systems.

The CER has been using the updated Audit Protocols and Guidance Document on a pilot basis for the past year. Future revisions will be addressed as part of continual improvement.

Preventing harm is the foundation of how the CER keeps people safe, protects the environment and property. We know that companies who manage their activities well, will better anticipate, prevent, and mitigate issues from happening in the first place.

Best regards,

Original signed by

Gitane De Silva
Chief Executive Officer

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