Stages of certification process

Can anyone me on what are the steps needs for an organization to go for certification process

 

thanks andy for the response also help me out to know what activity performed by auditor in stage 1 and in stage 2

 

In most cases, Stage 1 and 2 will have the following activities:

Stage 1:

• CB will requests a copy of your key documented information such as the quality policy, quality objectives, QMS scope, description of the QMS processes, organizational structure, company profile, quality manual, etc;
• CB will send you the audit plan indicating the usual processes to be audited starting from the strategic/business planning, management review, internal audit, control of documented information, customer satisfaction, human resource management, purchasing, operational processes; etc.
• the audit proper will focus more on the adequacy of the documented information, including information on risks and opportunities and actions to address them;
• audit findings are usually "observations" and you may need to act on them before they go back for Stage 2.

Stage 2:

• CB will send an audit plan indicating the time and duration of audit per QMS process (i.e. all core, management and support processes will be covered);
• at this time, instead of just assessing the adequacy of your documented information, your CB will obtain objective evidences that you are fulfilling what your company has committed to fulfill;
• any issues of non-fulfillment will result to a nonconformity finding;
• nonconformity findings are classified into minor or major;
• pray that you don't incur a major nonconformity since you cannot be recommended for certification if you have one;
• at the closing meeting the CB will announce their audit conclusion but will tell you first the positive findings, then the opportunities for improvement, then the nonconformities;
• if you only incur minor nonconformities, then you will be recommended for certification;
• it will usually take 1 to 2 months to release the official copy of your certificate.

 

Make sure you get the audit plan well in advance. This will show how much time will be spent in each area. That will help you prepare.