Issue 123 – Thinking of switching ISO Registrars/Certification Bodies?
ISO 9001:2015…
Thinking of switching ISO Registrars/Certification Bodies?
I appreciate receiving emails with questions and/or comments from readers of this Newsletter… please continue to do so since it provides me with ideas on what these publications should cover. In my last Newsletter (ISO 9001:2015 Newsletter Issue 122) we discussed the topic of “Is “safety” out-of-scope during a QMS audit?”, and now in this Newsletter we will discuss “Thinking of switching ISO Registrars/Certification Bodies?”.
The ISO 9001:2015 Element numbering…
Element 4 – Context of the organization
Element 5 – Leadership
Element 6 – Planning
Element 7 – Support
Element 8 – Operation
Element 9 – Performance evaluation
Element 10 – Improvement
Why switch?… The reason this topic has come up is because I have recently had two (2) of my Clients switching from their ISO Certification Body (CB) that they’ve been using for well over a decade. Why did they switch? Well the main reasons were the loss of their Lead Auditor with whom they had a long-term relationship. Most organizations stick with their CB for many years because they prefer to maintain the status quo… this is fine as long as they are getting value for their money.
My preference is to find an External Auditor that my Client can “work” with… that understands both their industry and their specific company products… AND… that approaches auditing with a reasonable, business like attitude. In other words they attempt to identify ways to improve the Quality Management System (QMS) which will ultimately help performance of the business. Those Auditors are hard to find but when you do, I say hang on to them… and if they change employers then follow them because I believe they are more important to your QMS then the organization they represent.
By the way, if things are not “working” with your current Auditor then ask for another Auditor to be assigned to you before going to the trouble of changing Vendors (that’s right, the CB is just a Vendor providing a service). Keep in mind that you should conduct a phone interview with any newly assigned Auditor (and get contact info of other Customers they audit) so you can test the “chemistry” between the two of you (good or bad) in order to minimize surprises at the Opening Meeting.
What you can expect after making a switch?… You should certainly expect to spend more time explaining your “processes” to a new Auditor… AND… you should also expect to receive audit findings in areas that previously were never a problem. Every Auditor interprets the “shall” requirements found within the ISO 9001 Standard a bit differently… which can possibly be an advantage because “new” eyes will see “new” things. Try to resist the initial urge to push-back and defend your position. This is also good advice for Auditors too… since I know I’ve been presented with opinions and attitudes and interpretations that initially are 180 degrees from my own.
One way I’ve found to encourage a constructive discussion (between two very opposite viewpoints) is to gently (and professionally) ask what “shall” requirement in the Standard is being referenced? I’ve had this done to me, and every time it causes me to pause for a moment and consider whether there is a “shall” requirement that I can quickly point to… or if i am simply clinging to an opinion I have developed based on my previous experiences. Either way, getting the “shall” identified might encourage an open discussion and help diffuse the situation.
Be sure to watch for our next Newsletter issue where I will be answering some of the questions that I get from Readers of my Newsletters about how to implement the requirements of ISO 9001:2015 in a specific and practical way, that will also help improve business performance…
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Need Help?
ISO 9001:2015 Internal Audit Outsourcing (we can do it for you OR with you!)
For cost effectiveness, the Internal Audit function can be outsourced to an external experienced auditor on a periodic basis. This will provide an independent and objective assessment to management, of where process issues may exist, along with identifying opportunities for improvement. It will also provide the evidence needed to satisfy the Internal Audit requirements in the ISO Standards. We have used two different approaches with this service: a) We conduct the entire audit ourselves, or b) We act as the lead auditor, and along with your Team of internal auditors, we complete the entire audit together. This latter approach allows your people to receive guidance and direction from an experienced lead auditor while at the same time maintaining significant involvement in the internal audit process.
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Internal Process Auditor Training for ISO 9001:2015
The two (2) day Internal Process Auditing for ISO 9001:2015 Training Session is focused on a process approach to auditing with the objective being not only to assess conformance of the quality management system, but also to uncover process improvements during an audit. This goes hand in hand with the process auditing requirements found within ISO 19011 and the process approach covered in ISO 9001:2015, which promotes continual process improvement throughout this Standard. An enhanced checklist is developed, and there will be workshops throughout, to reinforce learning, as well as a live, practice audit. If you are looking to meet the ISO 9001:2015 internal audit requirements and to “raise the bar” for your internal audit program then this is the course you should consider.
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Until next time…
Tim Renaud
Helping Business Professionals Reduce Risk and Remove Waste!