Audit for ISO 9001: How to conduct it & its required elements?

 Prior to implementation of ISO 9001 Certification- Quality Management System, it is very important for the companies to conduct an internal audit. Organizations are required to identify whether they have effectively implemented the standard or not. Has the company updated its system according to the statutory and regulatory norms of ISO 9001-Quality System Standard? To get the answer organization shall conduct a performance evaluation.

Let us know what is basically an internal audit?

When a designated person monitors the processes and compare them with norms required fulfilling the implementation of the standard, it is an internal audit. The process of audit helps the organization to dig out non conformists on their own. They will critically know the weaknesses and strengths they have in the procedure for acquiring QMS. A check list examined to see if you achieved the desired results or not.

The audit will include the process, interviews with employees, witnessing if the process is performed according to the plan. The auditor, according to checklist, will find out if still there are problems in it or not. The organization then will have to apply corrective actions till the problems get resolved.

One thing to note is, the audit must be impartial in nature. This helps to effectively identify and address non conformists.

ISO 9001 Certification Requirements for audit program

Before conducting an audit for ISO 9001 - Quality Management standard, organization must-

  • Ensure that the Quality Management System complies with the ISO 9001 standard
  • Identify and address any issues related to the ISO 9001 Certification
  • Identify potential and required improvements to your system
  • Ensure you have taken possible and appropriate action to meet the quality objectives stated in regulatory norms.

Some Elements of the Audit Program

To keep in consideration some of the elements for ISO 9001 audit program are given as follows-

  • Audit frequency- This shall exhibit how often does you or will you conduct the audit. The frequency of you conducting audit should be mentioned.
  • Audit methods- What all will you include in the audit to assess, the checklist for it should be highlighted by the organization.
  • Responsibilities- Who is responsible for conducting and maintaining the audit program? The responsibilities and roles of each employee to work in implementing QMS must be stated. The objectivity has to be maintained to keep it impartial.
  • Requirements for planning- Scheduling of the audit and all the necessary details have to be heeded up on.
  • Audit reporting: After completion of the audit how much time will be taken to issue the report of audit and who shall review it.

The internal audit constructively helps the organizations to firmly adopted required improvements. This will lead them a way towards continual improvement. The successful implementation of ISO 9001- Quality Management System shall be highly beneficial for your association. ISO 9001 Certification will help your company in not just uplifting the management system and revamping it, but also will add effectiveness in it.

source - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/audit-iso-9001-how-conduct-its-required-elements-arunendra-dvivedi/

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