What are the IATF rules regarding doing internal audits remotely?

[DariusPlumdon]

What are the IATF rules regarding conducting IATF16949 internal audits remotely?

During the height of the Covid pandemic we conducted internal audits remotely & our external audit was conducted remotely as well.

Travel restrictions have been lifted, but we have several internal auditors who are understandably still reluctant to travel owing to Covid and their personal situation (e.g. older and/or in high risk groups).

Our company is based in Europe & on the certification we are (rightly) listed as remote site to our parent company based in the Far East.

There is no manufacturing within Europe, we are design centres & regional sales only who send designs to the Far East for production.

I can find a lot of guidance regarding (remote) audits by our external certification body, but nothing on internal audits, so any links or guidance would be most appreciated

 

[Johnny Quality]

Darius,

IATF 16949:2016 does not comment on whether internal audits must be done on-site or remotely. However, it does state the internal audit process must be documented, cover the entire quality management system including management system audits, manufacturing process audits and product audits.

I can't see any mention of internal audits in the IATF 16949 sanctioned interpretations or FAQ's either.

Did your organization receive any positive or negative findings from your remote external audit in regards to your remote internal audits?

 

[DariusPlumdon]

Darius,

IATF 16949:2016 does not comment on whether internal audits must be done on-site or remotely. However, it does state the internal audit process must be documented, cover the entire quality management system including management system audits, manufacturing process audits and product audits.

I can't see any mention of internal audits in the IATF 16949 sanctioned interpretations or FAQ's either.

Did your organization receive any positive or negative findings from your remote external audit in regards to your remote internal audits?

For the external audit the auditor said they had to be on-site, which they were; but that those being audited from our company could be working from home, which the majority did. We have had no feedback, positive of negative, but all seems OK