Five Mistakes to Avoid During ISO 9001 Audits in Canada

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ISO 9001 audits are a critical part of maintaining quality management systems (QMS) and ensuring compliance with international standards. For Canadian organizations—whether in manufacturing, food processing, or IT services—avoiding common pitfalls during audits can significantly improve outcomes and reduce non-conformities.

Here are some key missteps to steer clear of:

  1. Lack of Preparation and Planning: Entering an audit without a clear plan and objectives can lead to oversights and a failure to cover all necessary areas.  In Canada, audit readiness should include internal audits, management reviews, and corrective actions aligned with ISO 9001:2015. The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) emphasizes the importance of structured planning to meet national and international standards.
  2. Inadequate Documentation and Record-Keeping: Proper documentation is the backbone of an ISO audit. Ensure all records are accurate and readily available.
  3. Insufficient Communication and Involvement of Relevant Personnel: Engaging the right people is essential for a comprehensive audit. Everyone involved should be informed and prepared. According to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), cross-functional collaboration and employee engagement are key to operational success.
  4. Failure to Follow Up on Identified Non-Conformities and Corrective Actions: Identifying issues is only the first step; implementing and tracking corrective actions is vital for continuous improvement. Canadian organizations can benefit from structured corrective action systems and root cause analysis tools aligned with ISO 9001:2015 and industry best practices.
  5. Overlooking the Importance of Auditor Competence and Objectivity: The auditor's expertise and impartiality are critical to the credibility of the audit findings. Canadian companies should ensure auditors are certified and trained according to ISO 19011 guidelines.

DNV Digital Tools - Our Differentiators

We not only assist in preventing errors but also collaborate with you to ensure that your audit delivers the highest performance experience for your company. DNV has developed a suite of digital tools that customers can easily access to add value to every audit.

Central to this suite is our 'Boost My Audit' digital tool, an invaluable resource for showcasing performance through an audit. 'Boost My Audit' allows you to browse the Focus Areas per standard, enterprise risk, and business process, and filter by specific industries. Additionally, it provides related pre-prepared checklists to guide your internal auditing efforts in a structured way, enabling you to concentrate on topics critical to your business success.

Moreover, we employ best-practice auditing techniques, remote and virtual delivery methods, and our proprietary Risk Based Certification® methodology. This risk-based approach not only ensures compliance with your chosen standards but also fosters improvements in your management system, enhancing its capacity to support your business objectives.

With DNV, you can be confident that your audits will drive continuous improvement and business success.

DNV Training – It’s all about you!

Are you preparing for your next ISO 9001 audit in Canada?  DNV Training courses are designed for effective team empowerment in managing challenges. Industry experts deliver our training, and our practical case studies and innovative teaching methods guarantee impactful learning. 

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