Any requirement that the Quality Policy copies posted in facilities must be signed?

[C Emmons]

I have a signed copy on file - I have both signed and unsigned copies posted - the signed copies include the company objectives - the unsigned copies are more of a mission statement.

 

[SteelMaiden]

No way! If you include a copy of your quality policy in your manual, and your manual is approved, then that makes your quality policy approved. If you can show that you review the quality policy periodically (management reviews) then that makes your quality policy approved. Man, I think that audits by customers are the worst! Somebody tells them something about what to look for, and they just can't see anything else. (Did they come in with their checklist already filled out like my NQA-1 customer's audit did?)

Sure, a signed policy hanging somewhere (appears) to show commitment. I can sign stuff all day long, and either intend or not intend to follow through with it. My first ISO system I worked on, the employees all got together and decided that THEY should sign the quality policy, because THEY were the ones that were going to be doing the work and ensuring product conformance. It was a great way for them to be a part of the system. The second one, managers signed. The third one, nobody signed. I've decided that the longer you are in the business, the more realistic you become. You know that it isn't a signature on a piece of paper, but a culture.

Tell them you can show that it is approved, and get on with your business. After all, it is your business, not theirs. If you perform every nit-pickin' task that every customer brings to you, you'll not be able to supply them product. My boss once used that on an especially outrageously demanding auditor. Called his boss, and said, "we can fix this nonconformance cited, even though there is not one shred of evidence that it is truly a nonconformance, or we can produce you product and get it shipped to you on time. Which do you want, we cannot do both?"

 

[Cari Spears]

If you perform every nit-pickin' task that every customer brings to you, you'll not be able to supply them product. My boss once used that on an especially outrageously demanding auditor. Called his boss, and said, "we can fix this nonconformance cited, even though there is not one shred of evidence that it is truly a nonconformance, or we can produce you product and get it shipped to you on time. Which do you want, we cannot do both?"

Right on!

 

[QChas]

No requirement. If this changed let me know because I can sell you some magnets real cheap! We give these to each new employee and have framed unsigned copies posted.

 

[QChas]

The other option is to raise the price of what you supply them to cover the "administrative costs"

 

[dlindey]

Where do they dig up these auditors

I've been involved in the Quality game for 30 years now and it never ceases to amaze me what petty issues are cited. I don't know about the rest of the group but personally I think it is more important that the people understand that there is a policy, have knowledge of it's contents, that there are objectives stated and most importantly how they as members of the organization contribute to meet the objectives hence "the policy". This may not be a auditor raising the issue but if it is just a questionaire I would think that the author of the checklist should rethink its purpose.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Katydid]

Signatures Required????

Well, I also feel your pain. We supply medical devices (instruments and implants) to the orthopaedics industry. We had two customer audits within the past two weeks, both with no findings , but both also wanted to see the "mandatory" signed Quality Policy . We keep one in the book that is signed, but everywhere else in the plant displays unsigned versions. You have definately hit on one of my pet peeves. Sorry to see that it is prevalent with your customer auditors too.

 

[Tammy N]

When NADCAP/PRI is involved

It has been my experience that NADCAP/PRI has their own hiden set of standards.

 

[Claes Gefvenberg]

I've been involved in the Quality game for 30 years now and it never ceases to amaze me what petty issues are cited. I don't know about the rest of the group but personally I think it is more important that the people understand that there is a policy, have knowledge of it's contents, that there are objectives stated and most importantly how they as members of the organization contribute to meet the objectives hence "the policy". This may not be a auditor raising the issue but if it is just a questionaire I would think that the author of the checklist should rethink its purpose.

Just my 2 cents

Welcome among the posters dlindey Actually, I think that is worth more than 2 cents. Good post. Your 30 years of experience shows.

Btw: We have our policies on our intranet... unsigned.

/Claes

 

[amanbhai]

but how do you make sure that it is from management if it is not signed? and how do you control it?