ISO 9001 Audit
Getting an ISO 9001 audit can be confusing if you’ve never experienced it. We’ve explained the process and its definitions to make the audit easier for you.
The ISO 9001 Audit procedure consists of 5 steps
You must have your systems inspected by an independent organization (a Certification Body) against the specifications of your selected Standard in order to obtain an ISO 9001 certificate that is recognized globally.
The Certification Body you choose will send an auditor to visit your business. Before the Certificate is granted, the auditor will make two visits: the first to ensure that the “documented” system is in place, and the second to audit your “operational” operations. The auditor will submit a recommendation to the CB after completion, and if there are no problems, they will grant the certificate.
When you receive the ISO 9001 certification, it is valid for three years as long as you have two surveillance audits spaced apart by a year. These surveillance checks make sure that your systems are being maintained. You will have a recertification ISO 9001 audit at the conclusion of the three years, which will examine the entire system and lead to the extension of the certificate.
When putting your quality management system into place, you should choose one of the many Certification Bodies that are active. Check out our helpful advice on selecting an ISO 9001 Certification Body and the associated fees. After you’ve completed the quote procedure, you will be in a position to book a date for the Stage 1 ISO 9001 audit.
Initial ISO 9001 Audit
A “Stage 1” audit is the initial step of the ISO 9001 audit procedure. The primary goal of this audit is to make sure your quality management system is in place and prepared for an audit. Second, it aids the audit body in planning the Stage 2 audit and confirming the scope of the work. The Stage 1 ISO 9001 audit typically consists of a desk evaluation of the existing quality management system documentation.
If everything goes according to plan during the Stage 1 audit, you will be advised to move on to Stage 2. Your report will outline the concerns to be corrected prior to the next audit, or you may need to take other action if not all the principles are completed to repeat the Stage 1 process.
2nd stage audit
The “Stage 2” audit is the second stage of the ISO 9001 audit procedure. The Stage 1 audit is extended in this. The audit will primarily focus on the “operational” components of the organization, with a brief repetition of the auditing of the paperwork. At this stage, the auditor will inquire about the team members’ jobs, observe what they do up close, and determine whether they comprehend the guidelines of your ISO 9001 quality management system.
You must provide proof that the system has been operational for a sufficient amount of time. You’ll accomplish this by providing instances of your regular work. You must have finished a thorough ISO 9001 round of audits (that’s at least 1 full audit from planning to review).
Gain ISO 9001 Certification
Getting the Certificate is the third step in the ISO 9001 audit process. If there are no problems at Stage 2, you will be suggested for ISO 9001 certification. Instead of awarding the Certificate, the auditor provides a suggestion in the report. The report is returned to the Certification Body, where the CB Technical Committee will assess it to ensure that the proper auditor was used, the proper evidence was examined, and the audit lasted the necessary amount of time. You might have to wait between 2 and 12 weeks for your certificate, depending on the certification body.
Surveillance ISO 9001 audits
The “Surveillance” phase of the ISO 9001 audit process comes after the third stage. The quality management system’s upgrades, including any internal audits and management reviews that have been conducted, are examined by the surveillance audits. The Certification Body will decide whether to conduct these audits after nine or twelve months.
The audit will include a sample of the operational processes in addition to the paperwork for the quality management system. Site visits will be made if your scope includes installation-related tasks. They will observe all of the operational procedures you employ during the two surveillance periods.
Audits for Recertification
“Recertification” is the last stage of the ISO 9001 audit procedure. The audit will examine the system more comprehensively and examine the lessons the organization has learned and the steps it has taken to advance during the past three years of using the ISO 9001 Quality Management System.
The recertification audit will also take a look ahead at the organization’s quality goals and plans for the upcoming trading season. The upcoming audit plan for the following three years will be determined by the recertification audit.
In the event that the audit is successful, the Certificate will be granted once more for a period of three years, and the Surveillance program will restart.
How can my company grow with an ISO Certification?
