Our TS audit is scheduled for next month. Our registrar informed us that the IAOB will be observing the audit and they do this periodically for the registrar to maintain their accreditation. This sounds like it puts us in a bad position since our auditor may be stricter than he would normally have been. Should we reschedule?

If you mean, rescheduling your audits in order to avoid the witness audit, you can request it, but this might backfire. Since TS auditor availability is limited, do you know for sure that the next available dates are convenient for you? Also, the Registrar is required to undergo a minimum number of witnessed audits per year, based on their volume of TS certifications. So, by making your audit unavailable for a witness audit, you might be risking your registrar’s IATF recognition and thus, their ability to issue you a valid TS certificate.

My suggestion to you is: if you feel confident that your system satisfies the TS standard, forget the fact that your auditor is being witnessed. Irrespective of your registrar’s auditor being witnessed or not, you can always challenge their interpretations.

The only additional costs to you would be an extra sandwich for the IAOB auditor, during lunch.

The IAOB is scheduling a lot of these audit observations. Personally, I don't have a problem with them coming in on our audit if they'd like to. Your auditor should audit your QMS the same whether observed or not. If he finds a nonconformance, it won't get worse just because the IAOB is there. It is only my opinion but I don't think your auditor will do anything differently. If you are confident in your QMS, go for it.

Any others have any positive or horror stories they would like to share?

Dave

Thanks, Sidney and Dave. I guess we'll stay with our original schedule. Yes we are comfortable with our system, but an upgrade is always more iffy than a routine surveillance audit.

Thanks.

I would think the auditor would be less likely to bring their biases to the table when be observed by the overseeing body.

Far too often auditors interpret the TS instead of reading it! I don't remember who but someone here uses "Show me the Shall" as their quote.
I wish i could get upper management to ask that question! Our auditor has interpreted and expanded the requirements to fit what he thinks TS should have said! And management won't call him on it because they are afraid it would upset him and cause to to dig deep to find other things!