posted 19 July 2000 10:41 AM               

First, some background information. I work for a company that ISO 9001 registered. We use KPMG and have been very happy with their professionalism and level of service. We employ about 200 people. Recently we purchased another company that makes the same product we do. They are also ISO 9001 registered using Perry Johnson Registrars (PJR). Our newly acquired company seems to be happy with PJR. We are up for renewal of our certificate in December of this year. We will be adding TE at that time. PJR has come in with an aggressive proposal that has got the serious attention of our corporate management. Here are my questions:

1- They say they can do our registration audit with 1 auditor in days by using a "Continuous Certification Method". Has anyone out there heard of such a thing?
2- I was under the impression that registrars must follow the guidelines and tables in the appendices of the QS-9000 book. Should they not be on site for at least 6 to 8 days?

To be honest I have not heard very good things said about PJR. But most of this is hearsay from meetings and seminars. Any information on the above questions would be of great help.

posted 19 July 2000 10:49 AM               

Sorry for the error.

posted 19 July 2000 11:47 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jim Evans:

1- They say they can do our registration audit with 1 auditor in days by using a "Continuous Certification Method". Has anyone out there heard of such a thing?

Jim Evans

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We are currently under a "Continuous Registration method" for us it is more expensive but every 6 month external audit increments - allows reduction of "Days-onsite" per visit - removes the need for added site audit days for re-registration every 3 years - audit days "per year" are always based on number of employees

Your post "reads" as if PJ were proposing to change-over the registration scope-include and combine both facilities under one audit schedule.. I too have not heard "good things about them - but have no real evidence to back up anything I've read..

posted 20 July 2000 08:06 AM               

Jim Evans

posted 20 July 2000 08:30 AM               

Regards,

posted 20 July 2000 09:25 AM               

1- PJR uses the same auditors that most other registrars use.
2- High staff turnover rate in there scheduling department.
3- Poor scheduling performance,i.e. scheduled auditor from cal. to do audit in the southwest; resulted in $1400 airfare.
Two auditors arrive at the airport at the same time,diff. flights, and each one rents a car, again resulting in added cost
4- The main office/auditor WILL NOT return phone calls. All telephone contact must be handled through your account rep.
5- One "glitch" that came up during our registration audit; the auditor failed to document the review of our manual,we were told that this would not be a problem, however, when the audit results went up for review we were rejected. We were required to re-submit our manual for review which resulted in a three week delay of receiving our certificate.

I have not heard of the continuous audit program nor have I been able to find it in the QSM, however, as in in any contract get everything in writing.
I would further suggest an on-site meeting with the registrar you select prior to any contractural agreements.

posted 27 July 2000 03:56 PM               

Looks as though it is better information than last years.... appears more comprehensive anyway.

posted 01 August 2000 12:01 PM               

I don't know how to complement them better than this: Our registration was a real value-added experience. The feedback we received from our auditors is going to significantly improve our quality system in the near future. What else is an audit suppose to do?

posted 18 August 2000 09:01 AM               

Best Regards,