A quality management system (QMS) is required for ISO 9001 compliance. It is also critical to audit this system to ensure that it is having the desired effect. An internal quality audit reviews the QMS to verify that its goals are met and that the firm has ISO 9001 certification. ISO 9001 is the most widely accepted Quality Management System (QMS) standard in the world. Its goal is to assist enterprises in more successfully meeting the needs of their consumers and other stakeholders. This is accomplished by erecting a framework to assure constant quality in the provision of goods and/or services.
What Precisely is an Internal Quality Audit?
An internal quality audit examines and evaluates a company’s procedures and processes to guarantee that they meet a standard of excellence such as ISO 9001. This is referred to as a quality system audit.
A quality audit can also be performed on a service or product to determine whether it meets expected criteria. This would be a quality audit of a product or service.
A good internal quality audit uncovers any flaws and helps a company make improvements to its QMS to ensure improved compliance.
ISO 9001 Internal Quality Audits Benefits
Internal Quality Audits Provide Significant Benefits. Setting up a quality management system but never double-checking its efficacy is a recipe for catastrophe. Regular checks to verify the system is compliant provide numerous benefits.
Real-World Testing
Comparing the theoretical quality management system to how it operates in practice can reveal any flaws.
Highlighting Areas for Development
A thorough audit that takes into consideration employee and customer input identifies weak points in the quality management process.
Identifying Nonconformance
An audit also reveals any issues with ISO 9001 compliance that may result in penalties.
Opportunities for Skill Development
Internal audits frequently indicate areas where employee skills are missing or may be improved.
Preparation for an External Audit
An internal audit is a smart way to get ready for an external audit. Familiarise yourself with the requirements of an external audit, and use the internal audit to ensure that everything is in order.
Taking Corrective Action
Audits provide an opportunity to initiate any essential corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) that may have already been ignored.
Identifying Wastefulness
Examining your processes, particularly in producing goods, typically reveals areas where time or money can be saved.
Audit Report
The final audit report is a valuable resource that can be used to continuously enhance your quality management system.
ISO 9001 Specifications for Internal Quality Auditing
Internal auditing is defined as a “systematic, independent, and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and objectively evaluating it to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled” by ISO 9001.
Internal quality audits can be performed as frequently as necessary to improve your QMS processes. Internal audits, on the other hand, should be performed regularly as part of a scheduled audit program.
To avoid conflicts of interest and bias, audits must be performed by unbiased auditors who are not directly accountable for the systems, processes, or products being audited.
Internal audits must be properly documented in a final audit report. This, together with any recommendations for corrective action, should be given to management.
