Wessam,
I understand and appreciate your position. You are correct that you have the right to question and discuss the opinions of your auditor. ...It is my belief that most auditors are not out to "nail" your company; they are there to help your company. I think, even if what they say doesn't always fit what we want to hear, they have the advantage of seeing other systems and when they feel something might help you, they offer it in good faith. I don't think there is any harm in listening to what he has to say even if it proves to be wrong for your system....
One problem we have all seen is where an auditor makes an honest error and writes a finding based on his misinterpretation of a requirement.... ...
... ISO 9004 is only a guide and you aren't audited to that standard so you aren't required to go that far. It does however give some great guidance for objectives and continual improvement.
The point is, you don't have to take the advice but it is presented for your consideration... ...Different people will address the requirement in different ways. The auditor has to determine if you not only address the requirement but is the way you address it suitable and effective.
...What is "best" for somebody else is not always best for you so he can't ....say "you have to do it this way". His only opportunity to help you is to offer an observation or opportunity to allow you to do your own evaluation.
Personally, I think you would be worse off to "fight" to get the observation dropped. I think you should consider what he said and if it doesn't work in your QMS, say "thank you, we considered it but don't feel it's right for us...
...He couldn't write a finding because it is outside the scope but he is trying to help you by pushing you to look into it.
I would love to see the day we acknowledge our auditors are working to help us and not "nail" us. We need to listen when we hear .... ...By all means, question a finding written against a subjective requirement but when it's offered as an observation or opportunity, be thankful the auditor you have is trying to help.
...I just like to climb up on soap boxes when I have a chance
Dave