Audit Objectives
Stage 1 audits
The objective of a Stage 1 audit is to:
Audit your management system documentation; evaluate your location and site-specific conditions and to determine your readiness for the stage 2 audit; your understanding of the requirements of the standard, in particular with respect to the identification of key performance or significant aspects, processes, objectives and operation of the management system; to discuss and agree the scope of your management system, processes and location(s) and related statutory and regulatory aspects (where applicable)and associated risks, etc.); to plan the Stage 2 audit and establish planning arrangements for internal audit and management review and you general readiness for the Stage 2 audit.
Stage 2 audits, Re-audits and Transfer Re-audits
The objective of a Stage 2 audit is to:
Evaluate the implementation (including effectiveness) of your management system through the audit of the information and objective evidence about conformity to all requirements of the applicable management system standard or other normative documents; assess performance monitoring, measuring, reporting and reviewing against key performance objectives and targets; evaluate your management system and performance as regards legal compliance, operational control of processes, internal auditing and management review and policies; links between the normative requirements, policy, performance objectives and targets (consistent with the expectations in the applicable management system standard or other normative document), any applicable legal requirements, responsibilities, competence of personnel, operations, procedures, performance data and internal audit findings and conclusions.
Surveillance audits and Surveillance Transfer audits
The objective of a Surveillance audit is to:
Gain confidence that your certified management system has continued to fulfil requirements between recertification audits; ensure internal audits and management review have been performed to programme; review actions taken on nonconformities identified during the previous audit; evaluate your treatment of complaints; evaluate the continued effectiveness of the management system with regard to achieving your objectives; evaluate your management system and performance as regards legal compliance; review progress of planned activities aimed at continual improvement; ensure continuing operational control; review of any changes since the last visit and ensure that AJA and Accreditation Body marks are being used in conformance with AJA’s Guide to the Use of Accreditation and Certification Marks.
Validation audits
The objective of a Validation audit is to:
Gain confidence that your certified management system has continued to fulfil requirements between recertification audits; ensure internal audits and management review have been performed to programme; review actions taken on nonconformities identified during the previous audit; evaluate your treatment of complaints; evaluate the continued effectiveness of the management system with regard to achieving your objectives; ensure continuing operational control.
Unscheduled visits
The objective of an un-scheduled audit will be defined separately as each audit of this type is unique.