Auditors qualifications

The standard requires the supplier to comply with customer requirements for internal system and process auditor qualification. 

Customers are likely to require internal auditors to at least have taken an Internal Auditor Training Course that meets the requirements of ISO 10011 but are unlikely to require Lead Auditor Registration. VDA 6.3 on Process audits requires the auditor to have at least two years practical experience in process management in the automotive industry and to have performed at least three process audits with the support of a technical expert from the process area. 

For product audits VDA 6 lists several technical and human characteristics of the auditor  

Knowledge of and access to information about customer expectations 

Devise a method of determining when parts of the system were last audited. Decide on the types of audits to be conducted and the level of staff to conduct them. Determine the standards against which the organization is to be audited. 

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In order to identify the differences in detail one would have to compare each of the four existing automotive quality system requirement documents with ISO/TS 16949. This is an exercise that forms part of the lATF Auditor Qualification Course and is not duplicated here. However, a summary of the 26 requirements that are additional to those in QS-9000 Third Edition are listed below ... 

The trade associations will also process applications for lATF recognition and for auditor qualification. A central database of auditors will be maintained so that auditor competency can be monitored. Auditor qualification and re-qualification results, complaints, and movements will be stored so that the validity of auditor certificates can be ascertained. 

Successfully complete the lATF-sanctioned Auditor Qualification Course... 

In order to take the lATF-sanctioned Auditor Qualification Course, the auditor has to be ... 

Surveillance audits Consultancy Auditor database Auditor qualification Audit reports Minimum audit man-days... 

Annex 2 Criteria for third party auditor qualification to ISO/TS 16949... 

In December 1998 I was fortunate to be invited to participate in the development of the ISO/TS 16949 certification scheme and later to represent the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on the lATF Training Council, set up to design the auditor qualification program. I would therefore like to acknowledge Bob Lawrie and Robert Coles of the SMMT for providing the opportunities in which I was able to learn about the lATF and ISO/TS 16949. 

ISO 19011 2002 (2002) lists the following personal attributes for auditors (and includes further information on desired auditor qualifications) ... 

Ensuring that the auditors qualifications are kept up to date... 

ASME uses quality system auditors experienced in the above-listed fields who have been certified to the international auditor qualification standard ISO 10011-2. Registration decision and policy making are conducted within the firamework of the ASME codes, standards, accreditation, and certification committee structure. The use of volunteers from industry and government provides for a high quality program that is administered in a fair, impartial, and professional manner. 

The customers have little influence in the training, qualification, and selection of auditors. 

In brief, the auditor has to be qualified by lATF to perform the audits and, to be eligible for qualification, the auditor has to be sponsored by an lATF-approved certification body that is subject to witness audits performed by qualified auditors from vehicle manufacturers. Such measures will inevitably improve the quality of certification offered by certification bodies and will be good for the global automotive industry. 

All existing automotive auditors must perform 15 automotive audits in three years and seek qualification to ISO/TS 16949 before the other standards are withdrawn. 

Guidelines for auditing quality systems - qualification criteria of quality system auditors... 

In terms of qualifications, Australia appears to have the most demanding recruitment requirements for GMP inspectors. The TGA s GMP auditors need to have worked in industry before their appointment and undergo 6-12 months formal training after appointment. Similarly, GMP inspectors in the Netherlands must have acquired experience in the pharmaceutical industry. 

Through investigation of production records, auditors spot deviations or out-of-specification issues. This in turn may lead to an examination of an operator s work and qualifications for the job. The auditors may ask how or what additional training was conducted and request the records that prove training was provided. 

The entire qualification process has to be documented. If it is not documented, it is just a rumor The records should be stored in a secure place because the records are the only proof that the qualification has been carried out. Systematic filing allows fast and easy access of records during an audit. Rapid record retrieval helps to convey a positive impression to auditors that the system is under control. It would a pity if all the hard work had been done but the records could not be presented quickly and efficiently during an inspection. 

Certain attributes are better than others when discussing the qualifications of a quality assessor or auditor. The following characteristics would only serve to enhance the role of any quality assessor or auditor in an organization. 

Team members should have a preUminary understanding of anditing before they begin an audit. The ISO 10011 auditing standard provides useful material on andit practice, the qualifications of auditors, and the management of andit programs. 

Qualifications of Audit Team Identification of Lead Auditor... 

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