Ensuring the availability of controlled documents 4.5.2.1a

The standard requires the supplier to ensure that the pertinent issues of appropriate documents are available at all locations where operations essential to the effective functioning of the qualify system are performed. Note that the requirement does not apply to data. 

This requirement contains four separate points  

Appropriate documents are those which are needed to carry out work and a list of 11 such documents is provided in the standard as examples. However, it may not be appropriate to place the quality manual at all locations if it does not contain any operational policies or procedures. The work instructions should specify the documents that are required for the task so that it is then clear that any not specified are not essential. It should not be left to the individual to determine which documents are essential and which are not. 

Operations essential to the effective functioning of the system are operations that contribute to the specification, achievement, control, assurance, or management of quality. Any operation covered by the quality system is an essential operation. 

The pertinent issue of documents may not be the latest issue. You may have reason to use different issues of documents such as when building or repairing different versions 

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