Hi all,
Our certification body (I won't name and shame but one of the big players) has just invoiced us and included a 'Remote Audit Fee' for a one day external assessment for ISO 9001, Continuing Assessment Visit. It was remote due to Covid restrictions.
Their justification is....
'Experience shows that remote external audits require a higher preparation time on the part of the auditors. We ask for your understanding that we will charge this additionally as follows within the framework of the total invoice'
- 1 hour for IT test and risk analysis
- Plus 1 hour per calculated day rate for preparation and additional work during the audit.'
they go on to say....
'The big advantage for you is that you save money overall during remote audits thanks to the elimination of travel costs'
My initial reaction is to laugh at the audacity and withhold any payment. I've had other remote assessments with other CBs and the same CB and not seen this before.
Interested to know - does anyone else think this might be reasonable? In terms of planning there was very little if any work done by the CB before the audit - and certainly nothing extra due to being remote.
Our certification body (I won't name and shame but one of the big players) has just invoiced us and included a 'Remote Audit Fee' for a one day external assessment for ISO 9001, Continuing Assessment Visit. It was remote due to Covid restrictions.
Their justification is....
'Experience shows that remote external audits require a higher preparation time on the part of the auditors. We ask for your understanding that we will charge this additionally as follows within the framework of the total invoice'
- 1 hour for IT test and risk analysis
- Plus 1 hour per calculated day rate for preparation and additional work during the audit.'
they go on to say....
'The big advantage for you is that you save money overall during remote audits thanks to the elimination of travel costs'
My initial reaction is to laugh at the audacity and withhold any payment. I've had other remote assessments with other CBs and the same CB and not seen this before.
Interested to know - does anyone else think this might be reasonable? In terms of planning there was very little if any work done by the CB before the audit - and certainly nothing extra due to being remote.