What must be done to the standards used in an audit instrument?

The standards used in an audit instrument must be validated to ensure that they are effective, accurate, and relevant for the specific context of the audit. Validation involves a process of verifying that the standards measure what they are intended to measure and that they produce reliable results consistently. This ensures that the audit findings and conclusions drawn from them are trustworthy, ultimately enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of the auditing process in identifying health, safety, and environmental issues.

While other options may sound reasonable, they do not directly contribute to the reliability of the audit instrument in the same way validation does. For example, simply announcing the standards publicly does not ensure their effectiveness or applicability. Similarly, while annual reviews can help keep the material current, they do not address whether the standards accurately reflect the necessary criteria for successful auditing. Distribution to all employees might ensure awareness but does not confer validity to the standards themselves. Therefore, validation stands out as crucial for establishing the quality and reliability of the audit process.