Our Steel Coil Control Plans have a characteristic I.D of coil identified in the sequence of measurements the characteristic is just a quick check to make sure the operator doesn't grab the wrong coil and try to put it up on the coil reel which will not accept the coil if it is not the correct size. My question is can the term "For Reference Only" be used on the control plan, is there anything in the QS9000 standard or the APQP Manual that states this term may not be on the control plan???? I'm having real diffuculty with my Auditor about this I believe subjective interpratation.

I've seen "for internal reference" many times on a control plan. As long as the nomenclature is agreeable and approved by the customer, whether intenal or external. This type of reference is usually carried down to the level III work instructions.

Any other views?

IMO. you can put anything on the control plan that you deem necessary to control the quality of the product. Refer to the overview on page 33 of the APQP.
Your auditor may have a problem with how you are documenting the results of this inspection. Regardless of what type of characteristic that is listed, variable or attribute, it must be documented as being "checked" before the process can continue.

Just a thought, but why put it in the Control Plan if it is for reference only? Surely the measurement is part of the process set-up verification and not a dimensional requirement of the product.

IMHO I wouldn't think you should use the term "Reference Only" on a control plan as the purpose of the CP is to address the process/product characteristics which need to be controlled. Leave the non-required "checks and balances" to the work instructions.

Dave