AS9100D 7.3 Awareness of customers quality policies

dsanabria

Quite Involved in Discussions
Just got audited and the auditor was looking how we deal with clause 7.3 (AS9100D).

"7.3 Awareness

The organization shall ensure that persons doing work under the organization’s control are aware of:

a. the quality policy;

b. relevant quality objectives;

c. their contribution to the effectiveness of the quality management system, including the benefits of improved performance;

d. the implications of not conforming with the quality management system requirements;

e. relevant quality management system documented information and changes thereto;

f. their contribution to product or service conformity;

g. their contribution to product safety;

h. the importance of ethical behavior.


So what is the simple way to deal with this clause...
 

Coury Ferguson

Moderator here to help
Trusted Information Resource
Just got audited and the auditor was looking how we deal with clause 7.3 (AS9100D).

"7.3 Awareness

The organization shall ensure that persons doing work under the organization’s control are aware of:

a. the quality policy;

b. relevant quality objectives;

c. their contribution to the effectiveness of the quality management system, including the benefits of improved performance;

d. the implications of not conforming with the quality management system requirements;

e. relevant quality management system documented information and changes thereto;

f. their contribution to product or service conformity;

g. their contribution to product safety;

h. the importance of ethical behavior.


So what is the simple way to deal with this clause...

My opinion...maybe an "All Hands" meeting, maybe training session is how I would meet the intent.
 

howste

Thaumaturge
Trusted Information Resource
So what is the simple way to deal with this clause...
Pretty simple really. I'm guessing that most of the content was already covered in your system based on the requirements of Rev C. Anything that wasn't adequately covered already should be provided in periodic training for all employees or periodically communicated by area leadership.

Internal audits should verify that employees are aware of the relevant items by asking employees throughout the organization about the different topics. If any gaps exist showing that the awareness is lacking, provide improved communication/training.
 

dsanabria

Quite Involved in Discussions
My opinion...maybe an "All Hands" meeting, maybe training session is how I would meet the intent.

Thanks - The shop has 22 employees and it is run by individuals that communication is not their strength - old school.

Would a quick presentation on key issues and putting it on the training matrix as annual recurrence item work?
 

dsanabria

Quite Involved in Discussions
Thanks - The shop has 22 employees and it is run by individuals that communication is not their strength - old school.

Would a quick presentation on key issues and putting it on the training matrix as annual recurrence item work?

This is what we ended doing and posting it...

5.2 Quality Policy

The ABC Manufacturing Company’s Quality Policy is to provide our customers with product whose quality meets or exceeds the contracted requirements and on-time delivery so that we become their preferred choice. We are committed to continuously improving effectiveness of our operations and to improving our on-time delivery, & customer satisfaction.

Quality objectives are:
- Quality to Customer
- On Time Delivery to Customer
- Supplier
- Customer Satisfaction

All employees should be aware of:
- their contribution to product or service conformity - (the role everyone at ABC Manufacturing has in achieving Quality)
- their contribution to product safety – (The role everyone at ABC Manufacturing has in usage and safety of product to include: FOD, shelf-life controls, storage and handling conditions)
- the importance of ethical behavior – (The role everyone at ABC Manufacturing has providing accurate and forthright information regarding the status of product – to include non-conformance).
 
L

leisurelady

We are currently in the middle of our AS9100 transition audit and the auditor's interpretation of 7.3 is that it is also applicable to supplier ("external providers" ) since the standard states "...doing work under the organization's control are aware of..... ." He is more than likely going to issue an NC. auditor said our suppliers should know our quality policy etc.
 

AndyN

Moved On
We are currently in the middle of our AS9100 transition audit and the auditor's interpretation of 7.3 is that it is also applicable to supplier ("external providers" ) since the standard states "...doing work under the organization's control are aware of..... ." He is more than likely going to issue an NC. auditor said our suppliers should know our quality policy etc.

That's a stretch...
 

Sidney Vianna

Post Responsibly
Leader
Admin
auditor said our suppliers should know our quality policy etc.
I wish they had IQ tests for people before they are allowed to create havoc as auditors. The language
"...doing work under the organization's control are aware of..... ."
applies to subcontractors, part time employees, etc...To expect that supplier representatives would be aware of customer's quality policies is incredibly stupid. What happens when a supplier has hundreds (or thousands) of customers?

People have a hard time being aware of their own employer's quality policy. Imagine if the expectation were expanded like in this auditor's mind.
 

AndyN

Moved On
We are currently in the middle of our AS9100 transition audit and the auditor's interpretation of 7.3 is that it is also applicable to supplier ("external providers" ) since the standard states "...doing work under the organization's control are aware of..... ." He is more than likely going to issue an NC. auditor said our suppliers should know our quality policy etc.

Be prepared NOT to accept that as an nc (of ANY "grade") and inform the auditor you will (if they persist) inform their management...
 
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