Certification audits are an essential part of any organisation’s quality management system. These audits are conducted by a third-party certification body to ensure that the organisation meets the relevant standard’s requirements.
In Australia, several certification bodies conduct audits for various standards, such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001. This article will guide how to prepare for your certification audit and what to expect during the audit process.
Understanding the Certification Process
Before diving into the preparation process, it’s crucial to understand the certification process. The certification process generally consists of three stages:
- Application and Documentation Review: In this stage, the certification body reviews the organisation’s application and documentation to ensure that they meet the requirements of the relevant standard.
- Initial Certification Audit: This audit is conducted on-site to assess the organisation’s compliance with the standard’s requirements. The audit includes interviews with staff, observations and documentation review.
- Surveillance Audits: These audits are conducted annually to ensure the organisation meets the standard’s requirements.
What Do Auditors Look For?
A certified ISO auditor’s role is even more important, as it is a legal requirement to have annual audits conducted for all entities registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). When conducting a certification audit, auditors will be looking for several key elements. These include:
Documentation
Auditors will review the company’s policies, procedures and records to ensure that they are accurate, up-to-date and compliant. The company’s documentation should clearly demonstrate how they meet the requirements of the standard.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
During an ISO audit, auditors will also review the company’s compliance with relevant laws and regulations. This includes everything from environmental regulations to health and safety requirements. The company must establish that they know these regulations and have implemented appropriate measures to comply with them.
Management System
The management system is another crucial area that auditors look at during a certification audit. This includes the company’s processes for managing risk, monitoring performance and ensuring continual improvement. The company must show that its management system is effective and that they have appropriate measures in place to identify and address any issues that arise.
Performance Metrics
Auditors will also review the company’s performance metrics to ensure that they are measuring what matters. This includes metrics related to quality, environmental impact and health and safety. To pass the ISO audit, the organisation must have appropriate measures in place to track and report on its performance in these areas.
Internal Audits
To make sure everything is working effectively and that the company is detecting and resolving any concerns that arise, auditors will examine the internal audit program of the organisation.
Corrective and Preventive Actions
The company must demonstrate that they have appropriate measures to identify the root cause of any issues and take appropriate action to prevent them from recurring.
Training and Competency
The business must show that its staff members are qualified for their positions, competent in them and that the necessary safeguards are in place to guarantee continued training and development.
Supplier Management
An organisation must have the necessary guidelines in place to successfully manage its suppliers, including making sure that suppliers abide by the standard.
Conclusion
Preparing for a certification audit can be daunting, but ensuring that your organisation meets the requirements of the relevant standard is essential. ISO certification is a valuable asset, as it proves that the organisation is committed to providing quality products and services.
Auditors play an important role in ensuring that organisations meet the ISO standards and implement the necessary controls to ensure the quality and safety of their products. Lastly, if you need information on preparing for a certification audit, it’s best to seek advice from ISO certification consultants.
ISO 9001 Consultants is the leading ISO standards consulting company in Australia. We are experts in creating and putting into practice management systems that are in line with international standards in Australia. Contact us if you need ISO certification consultants!
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