Can you define keeping quality records at a minimum of 3 years?

[Dawn]

Can you define keeping quality records at a minimum of 3 years?
My peers do not want me to specify how long we keep records because then if we keep them 3 years and one day and there is an audit we take a hit.
The standard states they shall eventually be destroyed.
So, what they want me to do, is state we will keep records a minimum of three years and they feel we will never have to throw them away. Are we in compliance? I feel pretty comfortable the answer to this question is no, but I need to be the convincer. Thanks, ahead of time!!

[Roger Eastin]

Is this QS or ISO? For QS, you have to destroy them after some time period, whereas for ISO you just have to specify what you do with them after they have satisfied their retention period.

[Dawn]

This is Qs and the standard states "Records shall be eventually destroyed".

Dawn,

Specify your retention periods as minimums.
I have done that, and have never had a problem. Eventually, you WILL need to get rid of them.......

Bryon

[Don Winton]

Dawn,

I see no reason that a "minimum" of three years cannot be the defined retention period. The standard states that retention period shall be defined. It is up to you what this retention period shall be.

Regards,
Don

[Kevin Mader]

Dawn,

Keep in mind that you may be held to a specific retention period by your customer.

Regards,

Kevin

Dawn,
We also are QS9000, and we experienced some scrutiny on record retention. Be sure to watch for PPAP and PO's for the life of the part plus one year.

I had posted this topic unde QS9000, if you want to check our experience.

Chuck

[Dawn]

Since you brought up for the life of the part, how long shoukld I keep processing data, powder and raw material tests, etc. if the warranty only lasts 3 years or 36,000 miles, would there be any reason to keep the records longer than that?