Requirement to audit locations which have been relocated

[ogghall]

Our company has a multi-site ISO 9001 registration. We have around 50 locations and each year a sampling of those locations are audited. 2015 is our renewal year. In order to update our certification information I included the new addresses of locations that relocated. (Just a couple.) The registrar indicated that those locations that relocated are required to be audited regardless of when they were last audited.

My question is where does that requirement originate from? Is something for example from the International Accreditation Forum?

Thanks

 

[Reg Morrison]

Re: Requirement to audit locations relocated

My question is where does that requirement originate from? Is something for example from the International Accreditation Forum?

No, http://www.iaf.nu/upFiles/IAFMD12007_Certification_of_Multiple_Sites_Issue1v3Pub5.pdf

But, and typically, if you were a single site certified and you relocated, the CB would ask information about the relocation and a special audit could be justified/necessary. So, your CB should explain to you why they are mandating the audit of the relocated sites. There should be some common sense applied to the selection of the sites that are part of the sample.

 

[ogghall]

Re: Requirement to audit locations relocated

Thanks for the reply. I had looked at the IAF document previously and did not find any specific references to relocation of sites. Also there has been no problem or issue with sites being selected.

Reg, you state in your response"

"But, and typically, if you were a single site certified and you relocated, the CB would ask information about the relocation and a special audit could be justified/necessary."

So the question still is what is the requirement and where is it stated that identifies relocation as a condition that would create the need for an audit?

Primarily I am looking first to find out where this requirement may be coming from before pursuing the question further with the registrar. I know one possibility since registrars need to develop their own policies regarding multi-site certifications it is possible it is their requirement.

 

[AndyN]

Ogghall: 5.1.4 may be the answer you're seeking...

 

[somashekar]

Re: Requirement to audit locations relocated

Thanks for the reply. I had looked at the IAF document previously and did not find any specific references to relocation of sites. Also there has been no problem or issue with sites being selected.

Reg, you state in your response"

"But, and typically, if you were a single site certified and you relocated, the CB would ask information about the relocation and a special audit could be justified/necessary."

So the question still is what is the requirement and where is it stated that identifies relocation as a condition that would create the need for an audit?

Primarily I am looking first to find out where this requirement may be coming from before pursuing the question further with the registrar. I know one possibility since registrars need to develop their own policies regarding multi-site certifications it is possible it is their requirement.

If you are working with some notable CB's, you will find in the CB agreement, details of what can be considered as significant changes that you will have to inform them prior to making the changes (Basically the change plan)
So based on this, the CB will take a call if they have to address it in the ongoing surveillance audit, or they have to schedule a special assessment with a limited scope to cover your organization change.
It is worth discussion it with your CB at an early stage. They are your partners in business anyway.