Which kind of document is the Quality Policy?

[selena15]

Hi Cove
I'm missing the cove
I hope that all of you are in good health and mood
I have a question
I want to make a code title to our quality policy, for that, i have to define which kind of document it is. It make sens to take it as a record as well as it will not be changed until the next revision ?
thanks in advance
selena

[Colin]

I generally think of records as evidence of something that has happened (past tense) whereas a document is live and must be kept current. On that basis I suggest that your quality policy is a document. It is subject to change and it is necessary to ensure that people have access to the correct version.

[selena15]

I'm agree with you Colpart about what is a record. But as well as our documentation system require to define the kind of the document ( WI, procedure, Record, Forms, specifications...etc ) this is why i think to make it as record. i know that normally the record is kept in store or what ever when the Quality policy is alive document but which kind of document it is ?
specifications as one fellow suggested ??

[Colin]

Why worry about what type of document it is? It doesn't matter - it's a document which requires control - leave it there is my suggestion.

[Al Hector]

Hi Selena,

I agree with Colpart that quality policy is a document and not a record.

If you really want a classification of documents maybe you shoud add to your system a new typ of document such as quality policy.

Alin

[selena15]

Ok thank you
I will see what can i do

[qualitymanager]

In Reply to Parent Post by Colpart

I generally think of records as evidence of something that has happened (past tense) whereas a document is live and must be kept current. On that basis I suggest that your quality policy is a document. It is subject to change and it is necessary to ensure that people have access to the correct version.

One way to look at it is that the (documented) Quality Policy is a record that shows evidence that an organization has met the requirements of ISO 9001 4.2.1 (a).

Another is that it is a Policy-level document which sets the framework for establishing Quality Objectives, thus it is an input to (and possibly higher-level than) the Quality Objectives. So you can put it "above" the class for Quality Objectives.

Colpart, you are using the term "document" with a different meaning than in the standard (4.2.3):

Records are a special type of document and shall be controlled according to the requirements given in 4.2.4.

[Colin]

Quality Manager, I think you are confusing the issue unnecessarily with your comment about the policy being a record. Using the same logic, should we say that the internal audit procedure is evidence of meeting the requirement of clause 8.2.2? I don't think so myself.

I differentiate the terms document and record to avoid the confusion. I think the fact that the requirement you quote in 4.2.3 points us to 4.2.4 is evidence enough don't you?