Audit

We will plan a convenient time and location with you for the audit to take place. He or she may request you to submit documentation that we must assess before this first visit. In some types of audit, such as an ISO 9001 or food safety audit, the first visit may be part of a phase 1 assessment. This phase 1 assessment is not the actual audit, but is meant to get a clear insight in the conditions under which the company is performing its activities. This will include, for instance, legislation, maturity of your organisation’s processes, personnel and the quality system documentation. The phase 2 audit, being the actual audit, is done after completion of the phase 1 assessment. In other types of audit, the first visit will be the actual audit.

Please note that in some cases, standards dictate that we must carry out an unannounced visit to your premises. If this is relevant, it will be clearly mentioned in your contract. However, in most cases you will receive a confirmation of the arrival date and time of our auditor, his/her name and the planning of the visit, a so-called audit plan. The audit plan also indicates what kind of documents and which persons need to be available during the audit.

During the visit, your activities will be fully reported. We request you to give auditors the right and the necessary assistance to access your premises and/or your production companies. We also request you to enable our auditor to audit the relevant accounts and to take samples for analysis. These samples, if required by CU, have to be placed free of charge at the disposal of the auditor.

The main elements of an audit are:
• The opening meeting, in which the following elements are explained and discussed:
o confirm the previously documented scope of the audit (departments involved, scope, products, etc)
o the audit plan and who will be looking at what and when
o the aim of the audit is to seek objective evidence that the system plan (QMS) conforms to the standard and that the organisation complies with its own processes and procedures
o Confirm the logistical arrangements (office accommodation, meals, etc).
o verify that staff has been informed that the audit is taking place and confirm access to facilities and records
o workers will be interviewed during the audit and request a list of employees
o invite any questions about the audit
o statement as to the confidentiality of the findings

• The actual audit
Auditors will be looking for evidence of compliance with the standard. During the audit they will visit facilities, interview workers and managers. Also documents and records will be checked. During all these activities auditors review the effectiveness and implementation of your system and how it complies with the appropriate standard(s). Auditors use standardised forms to lay down findings in writing. During the audit they will raise issues that they consider will result in non-conformities to be presented at the closing meeting

• The closing meeting, containing the following elements:
o give an overall summary and conclusions
o any follow up actions to be taken, if applicable
o the method of reporting
o which non-conformities have been found, the grading of these non-conformities, and their implications
o invite the auditees to discuss specific points and agree on dates for the corrective actions necessary