Quality system auditors’ attitudes and methods: a survey

Presents the results of a survey of the auditors of a number of large certification bodies carried out to investigate the opinions, methods and problems of auditors responsible for registering companies to ISO 9000. Finds that auditors consider certain quality system activities, such as internal audits and corrective and preventive actions, are strong indicators of a compliant quality system. Other activities, such as monitoring purchaser supplied product, appear to provide less insight to auditors. Auditor opinion varies about the main function and “customer” of the registration process, which may reflect a wider discussion in the quality community. In general, auditors have had considerable previous relevant experience before joining a certification body and believe they have few major problems with the current auditing process.