AS 9100 - The Audit Procedure
ISOQAR's auditors are selected to meet the requirements
of your particular sector. Your company's activity, location of premises, size
and complexity are all taken into account.
On receipt of your application form, we will contact you
to agree dates for the following:
Document Review and Stage 1 Audit
The document review / Stage 1 Audit aims to establish that
your quality documentation meets the requirements of the standard. We compile
a detailed report and a planned audit schedule. These are discussed and provided
for your information. If deemed necessary by ISOQAR or requested by the company
this can take place at your premises. This will enable you to establish a rapport
with your auditor and may help to reduce incidence of non-compliances at the
next stage.
The Audit
A detailed, on-site audit of your company's implemented,
documented system is carried out against the company's working practices and
the AS9100 standard.
Findings of the audit are documented. If there are any
areas of concern to the auditors, the following may be raised:
Major non-compliances - that must be
rectified before certification can be recommended by the Lead Auditor.
Minor non-compliances - that do not affect
the recommendation for approval but must be addressed prior to the issue of
your certificate.
At the close of the audit the Lead Auditor will leave his
recommendation with you.
Surveillance
ISOQAR's certification is valid for a three-year period
and monitored by an auditor at regular intervals. All visits to your company
are by appointment thereby ensuring availability of relevant personnel.
At the end of three years your organisation will need to
be re-audited. Fees for this will be kept to a minimum and discussed with you
in advance.
Please note: All audits are performed on the basis of limited
sampling. If discrepancies are not discovered there is no guarantee that they
do not exist.
Extension to Scope of Certificate
Amendments or extensions to the initial certified scope are possible, for example,
to include additional offices or new areas of business. Audits for this 'extension'
can usually be carried out with minimum disruption to your organisation. A common
practice is to allocate extra time at the time of a routine surveillance visit.
Logos
Following certification your company may display the ISOQAR shield of approval.
If your company operates within ISOQAR's accredited scope you can also display
the UKAS Accreditation Mark often referred to as the 'Crown and Tick'.
Rules for Appeal
In the event an audit results in a recommendation not to
approve registration to the relevant part of the standard (or if notified at
a later stage that a certificate is to be withdrawn), a written appeal may be
sent to the Chief Executive of ISOQAR.
An Appeals Panel selected from the Governing Board will
hear all appeals. Your company has a right to object to any member forming part
of the chosen panel. The Governing Board will then select a different panel.
If the appeal is upheld the findings of the Auditor will be overruled. If the
Auditor is found to be correct your company will be required to pay for a partial
or full re-audit and the cost of the appeal.
Such appeals are extremely rare.
