What is an ISO Quality Audit?

An ISO quality audit serves as a crucial management tool for organizations, enabling them to assess, validate, and confirm various quality-related activities within their systems. These audits play a pivotal role in evaluating and assuring the effectiveness of an organization’s quality management systems (QMS) in compliance with the ISO 9001 standard.

While preparing for and undergoing an ISO audit can be stressful, knowing what to expect and how to prepare can be very helpful. In addition, knowing how to leverage tools such as ZenGRC can help organizations stay prepared for ISO audits.

In this blog, we discuss all you need to know about ISO audits from how to prepare to what to expect.

What Is an ISO Audit?

An ISO audit, specifically the ISO 9001 quality audit, is an evaluation conducted to determine the level of compliance and effectiveness of an organization’s quality management system (QMS) as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ISO is a global body that develops and publishes international standards for various aspects of business and industry, including quality management.

ISO audits can encompass various types, but one of the most common is the ISO 9001 audit. ISO 9001 sets the standards for quality management systems, and an ISO 9001 audit evaluates whether an organization’s QMS aligns with these standards and is functioning effectively. The audit process involves a systematic review of an organization’s documentation, procedures, processes, and practices to assure that those items meet the ISO requirements and are capable of consistently delivering products or services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

Why Is an ISO Audit Important?

ISO audits hold significant importance for organizations, as they assess an organization’s alignment with ISO standards and its ability to meet quality objectives. The results of these audits verify an organization’s quality planning, system implementation, measurements, and documentation, all to achieve high standards of quality.

ISO audits can be conducted internally by trained professionals within the organization, or they can be performed externally by accredited auditors to determine whether an organization is eligible for ISO certification. Compliance with ISO standards is often considered a mark of quality and can be essential for organizations seeking to demonstrate their commitment to delivering high-quality products and services.

Types of ISO Audits

There are many types of ISO audits, each serving a specific purpose within the wide world of the ISO standards. The most common types of ISO audits include:

1. ISO 9001 quality audit. This audit focuses on an organization’s quality management system (QMS) and its alignment with the ISO 9001 standard. It assesses the effectiveness of the QMS in meeting quality objectives and customer requirements. It is also the only standard in the ISO 9000 series to which organizations can seek certification.
2. ISO 14001 environmental audit. This audit evaluates an organization’s environmental management system in line with ISO 14001. It confirms whether the organization complies with environmental regulations and aims to reduce its environmental impact.
3. ISO 27001 information security audit. ISO 27001 audits assess an organization’s information security management system to safeguard sensitive information and data. This audit verifies that information security controls are in place and effective.
4. ISO 45001 occupational health and safety audit. Organizations undergo this audit to determine their compliance with ISO 45001 standards, which focus on occupational health and safety management. The audit assesses measures to prevent workplace accidents and illnesses.
5. ISO 22000 food safety audit. This audit examines an organization’s food safety management system to assess whether it complies with ISO 22000 standards. It’s crucial for organizations in the food industry to maintain food safety and quality.
6. ISO 13485 medical devices audit. Organizations involved in the design, production, and distribution of medical devices undergo ISO 13485 audits to demonstrate compliance with quality management systems specific to medical devices.
7. ISO 50001 energy management audit. ISO 50001 audits are aimed at evaluating an organization’s energy management system. This audit focuses on reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency.
8. ISO 22301 business continuity audit. Organizations seeking to assure business continuity in the face of disruptions or disasters undergo this audit, which assesses compliance with ISO 22301 standards.
9. ISO 16949 automotive quality audit. The ISO 16949 standard is designed for the automotive industry. This audit verifies the QMS in automotive manufacturing and supply chain organizations.
10. ISO 9001 supplier audit. These audits are conducted by organizations on their suppliers to confirm whether the goods or services provided meet the ISO 9001 quality standards.
11. ISO 14001 supplier audit. Similar to the ISO 9001 supplier audit, this audit focuses on evaluating the environmental performance of suppliers in accordance with ISO 14001 standards.
12. Integrated management system audit. Some organizations choose to integrate multiple ISO standards (such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001) into a single management system. Auditors assess the combined system for compliance and effectiveness.

The choice of audit type depends on an organization’s focus and compliance needs. The ISO 9001 quality audit is the most common and is the one most organizations think of when considering an ISO audit.

What Happens During an ISO Audit?

During an ISO 9001 quality audit, an internal auditor (or some other trained professional within the organization) verifies the alignment of the organization’s QMS with ISO standards and its adherence to quality objectives. The audit encompasses all elements of the ISO 9001 standard within a 12-month period. Internal audits serve as preparation for the final certification audit.

There and three main goals of an ISO audit:

1. Verifying compliance with ISO standards. Auditors assess whether the organization’s QMS aligns with the specific ISO standard being audited, such as ISO 9001 for quality management.
2. Assessing effectiveness. Auditors examine whether the QMS is effectively implemented and maintained, assuring that it consistently delivers quality products or services.
3. Identifying areas for improvement. The audit helps in identifying weaknesses or areas where the organization can enhance its QMS to better meet quality objectives.

Here’s what typically happens during an ISO audit:

1. Audit planning. The audit begins with planning, where auditors define the scope, objectives, and criteria for the audit. They identify key processes and areas to examine.
2. Fieldwork and evaluation. Auditors conduct on-site evaluations, including document reviews, interviews with staff, and observations of processes. They compare actual practices to documented procedures.
3. Non-conformity identification. Auditors identify any non-conformities or discrepancies between your organization’s practices and the ISO standard‘s requirements. These non-conformities are documented for your attention.
4. Reporting and follow-up. After the audit, auditors present their findings in a report. You’re required to address any non-conformities through corrective actions. Auditors may follow up to verify the effectiveness of these actions. External audits may lead to certification decisions by the certification body.

The audit process aims to assess the effectiveness of your quality management system, adherence to ISO standards, and overall compliance throughout each step of the process. The audit provides valuable insights into your organization’s strengths and areas for improvement, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of your quality processes and the achievement of ISO certification.

How Can I Prepare for an ISO Quality Audit?

Preparing for an ISO quality audit is a critical step to assure a successful audit outcome and to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to meeting ISO standards. Here are some steps to help you prepare for an ISO quality audit:

1. Know the ISO standard. Understand the ISO standard relevant to your business, such as ISO 9001 for quality management.
2. Conduct internal audits. Regularly review your quality management system through internal audits.
3. Document and train. Keep records and assure that employees are trained and aware of their roles.
4. Correct issues. Address any non-conformities found during internal audits and implement corrective actions.
5. Organize documentation. Prepare all necessary documents for the audit and have them readily accessible.
6. Stay calm and collaborate. During the audit, remain composed, answer questions honestly, and work with auditors professionally. Afterward, act on their findings for continuous improvement.

By following these steps, you can prepare your organization for an ISO quality audit and increase the likelihood of a successful audit with minimal non-conformities. It also demonstrates your commitment to maintaining a high level of quality within your organization.

Stay prepared for your next ISO audit with ZenGRC

Preparing for your next ISO audit is vital for maintaining compliance and quality within your organization. Tools such as ZenGRC can help organizations stay prepared for ISO audits, facilitating the identification of issues during implementation and enabling corrective actions to be taken before potential external certification audits. This is crucial for achieving ISO certification.

ZenGRC offers an innovative solution to streamline the audit preparation process. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, ZenGRC simplifies the management of documentation, tracks audit tasks, and helps you stay ahead of compliance deadlines. Its automation capabilities facilitate real-time reporting and monitoring of your quality management system, ensuring that you are always audit-ready. 

ZenGRC empowers your team to efficiently address non-conformities and implement corrective actions, ultimately driving continuous improvement. With ZenGRC, you can approach ISO audits with confidence, knowing that your organization is well-prepared to meet and exceed the stringent ISO standards.