Is it mandatory to update all controlled documents if a company gone through a merger

[Wes Bucey]

Welcome to the Cove, Lee We discussed a similar question in this old thread: Is it mandatory to change right away all the procedures header.

Anyway, my take is that if the process is unchanged there is no need to update the written procedure. It would be a waste of resources to update a document just for the sake of a header, logo or such. That can be taken care of in the course of normal updates as the content changes.

/Claes

I agree with Claes that many of the factors were discussed in the referenced thread.

Let me add this:

Sometimes the nature of a merger means incorporating the documents from each of the predecessor companies into a "harmonized" version which is equally applicable through the new combined organization. In many cases, the various Quality documents (Procedures, work instructions, inspection formats, etc.) only need a change of logo to keep from confusing customers and suppliers.

In such cases, I recommend merely adding a cover sheet to identify the document as belonging to the combined organization (with new name), explaining there is no change to the document. Numbering (if used - numbering is NOT necessary) can be left the same or changed as the organization finds best - neither the Standard nor the auditor has any say in this matter. Same thing goes for version, which can be added to the cover sheet as "1" if the numbering is changed.

In every case, it is important to make such changes as are necessary to avoid confusion among employees, customers, and suppliers. Auditors do NOT figure into the mix of who needs to be kept from confusion, as long as the other three groups are accommodated. The consideration, therefore, is not the Standard, but the efficiency of the business purpose using such documents.