Is it an ISO Requirement for QA Manager to have Lead Auditor certificate

[gpainter]

Make your system as simple as possible and make it yours.

 

[AndyN]

I already have a certificate for Internal Auditor that I was issued after a course I took from what I assumed was an accredited auditor. My current independent certification company strongly suggested that I take a lead auditors course. I've been working, implementing and studing ISO 9001;2000 requirements for the last 12 months. Is this a requirement for my companies ISO certification? That I, as the Quality Control Manager have this accreditation?

Thanks,
JBI

Nor is it appropriate for your external auditor to be making 'strong suggestions' about taking a class. If they have found an issue with your internal audit program, then it's not their job to diagnose what that corrective action might be - retraining - but simply to report the facts.

Did they make comment about the effectiveness of your auditing? Is your audit program lacking in some respect? If not, you don't require any training that the LA course can provide. If there is some action needed, I'll go right out on a limb and tell you that you won't get that info. from most LA courses.......

Indeed, technically, the Lead Auditor course isn't even for internal auditors...............:mg:

 

[SteelMaiden]

There isn't even an ISO requirement to have a quality manager.

Or a quality dept.

Do what works for you. There are many really good internal auditing classes available.

 

[Paul Simpson]

I already have a certificate for Internal Auditor that I was issued after a course I took from what I assumed was an accredited auditor. My current independent certification company strongly suggested that I take a lead auditors course. I've been working, implementing and studing ISO 9001;2000 requirements for the last 12 months. Is this a requirement for my companies ISO certification? That I, as the Quality Control Manager have this accreditation?

Thanks,
JBI

All the previous posts are correct - there is no requirement.

I'm reading between the lines of your post, Jackie and trying to guess if the auditor is trying to be helpful. Are you new in the position? If so it may help you to go on the course as you get an intensive intro into ISO - even quicker than here on the Cove!

If not then tell him / her to go whistle!

 

[DsqrdDGD909]

Welcome to the Cove - hands down the most useful web site a quality professional can access.

 

[Randy]

Read your contract!

The registrar may have made it a stipulation, you're bound by it, and it won't matter what anybody thinks...I've seen it before.

 

[Sidney Vianna]

Read your contract!

The registrar may have made it a stipulation, you're bound by it, and it won't matter what anybody thinks...I've seen it before.

That tastes like baloney. A CB that would impose unilateral nonsensical requirements in their contract with the registrants would not be in business too long.

 

[Jen Kirley]

Welcome Jackie!

The short answer is "No."

The longer answer is, "What would it do for you and your organization?"

The auditor's boss should, IMO, know enough about the business of auditing to understand if the auditing is being done properly, to ask good questions of the auditor, and to run good interface with management if need be.

So learning about auditing can be good, but no standard requires the quality manager to have an auditor's certificate. It would be helpful enough, I think, to look at a book on the subject.

 

[Randy]

That tastes like baloney. A CB that would impose unilateral nonsensical requirements in their contract with the registrants would not be in business too long.

Maybe so, but it was tied to evidence of competency & training.

Is it illegal, immoral or unethical to have a contract stipulation like that?

 

[Paul Simpson]

Read your contract!

The registrar may have made it a stipulation, you're bound by it, and it won't matter what anybody thinks...I've seen it before.

I've never heard of that as a contract requirement, Randy!

I also can't believe any reputable certification body would try something like that.... The phrase "unfair terms of contract" comes to mind.