Do I need to approve my Registrar and include them in the Approved Supplier List?

[Sidney Vianna]

Re: Requirements for an Approved Supplier List? No new suppliers in years

Years ago we started with an "Approved Spplier List" that was included all vendors, everyone we had written a check to. Our auditors complained that the list was too long. We cut it back to only include suppliers that directly affected the finished product. This included heat treating, plating, and customer approved suppliers. It did not include outside machining services because we verified all that they did. Auditor liked the shorter list. We missed calibration and added them. We decided that if the supplier ended up on an AS9102 FAIR, it required approval. If not on the FAIR, then not on the list. Customer auditor liked this, Registrar auditor did not like this. Now we are going back to where we started, 15 years of audits ago.

So... Your registrar needs to be evaluated.

I sympathize with your challenge, believe me. But if we allow our system to be changed based on auditors likes and dislikes, we will always be at the mercy of the next auditor's whims. There is nothing wrong in improving your system when and if an external auditor points out a nonconformity, opportunity for improvement, a possible enhancement, etc. But we should not allow external parties, who do not have to live with and support the system, day in, day out to dictate us what to do, because of their personal preferences.

You say your registrar needs to be evaluated; I agree, but remember the monitoring and reevaluation of their performance means that, if they send auditors that are not consistent, you need to provide feedback and, potentially, require them to implement corrective action. After all, you are not certified by a specific auditor, but a certification body. If different auditors representing the CB subject you to inconsistent interpretations, you, as the customer of their service should provide them with an appropriate feedback.

 

[Big Jim]

Re: Approved Supplier list?

While I'm all for a rigorous process for organisations selecting their CB. Having them on your ASL/AVL is a bit of a stretch for me. I don't believe the intent of the standard covers conformity assessment bodies in any way.

Btw that doesn't mean you shouldn't select a CB that gives a rigorous service that adds value to your QMS activities.

ISO 9001:2008 says nothing about an approved supplier list. You don't have to have one unless your own documents say you do. It can be a great tool, but strictly speaking, not required. Other standards (AS9100) do require an ASL/AVL (AS9100 calls it a register).

Approval is another matter. Approval is required, and records concerning approval need to be retained.