Procedure Manual Changes - Internal audit necessary prior to recertification?

[z28tt]

Hi guys,

Quick question - We're due for our external 3 year AS9100B recert audit, but I wanted to update our Quality & Procedures manual with a few minor changes. Are we then be required to do a full cycle of internal audits prior to the re-cert audit?

I didn't see anything in the standard that mentions this as a req, but for some reason it's in my mind...

Thanks!

[BadgerMan]

In my opinion, no, as I am assuming that the changes are being made in the spirit of continuous improvement or to correct issues that were possibly discovered during previous audit activity. If you were compliant before, the improvements should only enhance your level of compliance. If you were not compliant before the changes, document them as corrective actions and then document the verification of implementation and effectiveness prior to the recert audit.

[fletch]

It depends, on how often your system is set up for your internal audits. Most perform audits annually, so I would have to say no. However, if you have not audited that section for the year yet you're going to cover your changes anyway. Through my experience when you change your procedure you then have to train everyone to the changes. Review for evidence of effectiveness after 30 days - continuous improvement

[Stijloor]

In Reply to Parent Post by z28tt

Hi guys,

Quick question - We're due for our external 3 year AS9100B recert audit, but I wanted to update our Quality & Procedures manual with a few minor changes. Are we then be required to do a full cycle of internal audits prior to the re-cert audit?

I didn't see anything in the standard that mentions this as a req, but for some reason it's in my mind...

Thanks!

I do not think so. It depends on the impact of the changes. If the impact is fairly small, just make sure that the changes have been communicated and implemented. Record that fact, and you should be OK.

Stijloor.

[Joy]

In Reply to Parent Post by z28tt

Hi guys,

Quick question - We're due for our external 3 year AS9100B recert audit, but I wanted to update our Quality & Procedures manual with a few minor changes. Are we then be required to do a full cycle of internal audits prior to the re-cert audit?

I didn't see anything in the standard that mentions this as a req, but for some reason it's in my mind...

Thanks!

Hello,
For good reasons it is in your mind.

If you see the note in clause 4.2.1: NOTE 1: Where the term —documented procedure“ appears within this International Standard, this means that the procedure is established, documented, implemented and maintained.
I assume that you are making some changes in your documented procedure and through one round of internal audit (after the change),you can verify whether same is implemented and maintained or not.

I agree with all that there is no specific requirement of IQA after document change or before 3rd party audits.

[brahmaiah - 2010]

In Reply to Parent Post by z28tt

Hi guys,

Quick question - We're due for our external 3 year AS9100B recert audit, but I wanted to update our Quality & Procedures manual with a few minor changes. Are we then be required to do a full cycle of internal audits prior to the re-cert audit?

I didn't see anything in the standard that mentions this as a req, but for some reason it's in my mind...

Thanks!

Before a recertification audit,MRM and IQA as per your annual schedule is required.I cannot imagine a situation where you go for a certification without conducting IQA and MRM.
V.J.Brahmaiah

[z28tt]

Guys - Thanks very much for the feedback!

[AndyN]

In Reply to Parent Post by z28tt

Hi guys,

Quick question - We're due for our external 3 year AS9100B recert audit, but I wanted to update our Quality & Procedures manual with a few minor changes. Are we then be required to do a full cycle of internal audits prior to the re-cert audit?

I didn't see anything in the standard that mentions this as a req, but for some reason it's in my mind...

Thanks!

It depends on a number of issues. I'm not sure what you mean by 'full cycle' of audits, for starters. I've never fully understood this, since it's only recommended going into a registration, so your CB doesn't find anything you should have found! Once you achieve certification and compliance, your internal audits should be being scheduled "taking into consideration of status and importance etc".

The question for you becomes one of how do these changes affect the 'status and importance' of the processes? Do the changes affect a customer? were they (as was mentioned) as a result of improvement? Or a change due to a previous audit finding? You should know these answers and, therefore the answer to whether they need to be audited.

If your audit scheduling isn't sensitive to changes in procedure, improvements, problems etc. you might want to rethink that part of audit program management.....