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ISO audits aim to improve businesses through standardization and controlled processes. There are internal, external, and supplier audits, with specialized audits for specific certifications. Internal audits prepare for external audits and help develop good audit systems. Resources for establishing control systems include books, seminars, consulting firms, and software programs. The ISO audit process has four stages, and every facility of a global company must be audited. ISO certifies auditors in various countries and fields.
Typically, there are two types of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) audits: internal and external. Some professionals add another audit to the list, the supplier audit. The basic purpose of ISO audits and certification is to improve business through standardization and controlled processes. A company may conduct each type of audit differently, but the purpose behind it is to improve the business. Typically, companies enlist external sources, such as consultants, specialist software or other media, to guide them through the complicated ISO audit process.
There are different types of ISO certifications, and administrators often tailor audits to help a business achieve a specific certification. In addition, there are specialized audits. An example of a specialized audit is ISO 15489, which focuses on the management of a company’s records. This audit typically provides an agenda for setting up and executing a records management system.
The main purpose of internal ISO audit is to prepare for external audit. On-site ISO auditors typically conduct the internal ISO audits, while an independent firm conducts the external audit. Both the company’s suppliers and customers perform supplier audits. Many companies prefer to do business with ISO certified companies and by checking their suppliers or customers, they are confident that the other company is meeting the appropriate standards. An internal audit within a company can highlight issues that may jeopardize ISO certification or registration.
Some audits reveal intentional unethical or unsafe practices, but usually violations result from simple human error. Most companies discover these minor nonconformances during internal audits and correct them before the external audit. This is one of the values of internal audit. Another benefit of performing internal audits is that it helps a business develop a good audit system.
There are many resources for a business to establish a good control system. Several business experts have written books and other media sources on the development of ISO audit systems. Many of them offer seminars or workshops, either in an off-site location or on-site at the corporate facility. Other sources are consulting firms and software programs. Some of the tools these sources offer include checklists and employee training programs.
Some experts believe that the ISO audit process has four stages. They emphasize that it is important to complete the basic preparation steps before conducting the audit, internal or external. These steps include researching requirements for ISO certification and assessing project scope; preparation, including creation of audit documents such as checklists; and write reports necessary for ISO certification and other obligations, such as supplier or customer requirements.
ISO is a global association and a company must audit every facility, regardless of its location. For example, a company in the United States that has satellite facilities in Argentina, India, and the Ukraine must have an ISO audit system set up in each facility. The ISO organization certifies auditors who perform external audits at companies in various countries. The organization may also certify auditors in specific fields, such as auditors of food equipment, bottled water plants and manufacturers of drinking water devices.
