In the context of a third-party audit, the activities and the parties responsible can be matched as follows:
Review the organization’s processes: This is typically the responsibility of the audit team. They examine the processes to ensure they comply with the specified standards1.
Review the audit results: The audit team leader usually reviews the audit findings to ensure accuracy and completeness before they are finalized1.
Issue the certificate: The certification body is responsible for issuing the certificate if the audit is successful and the organization meets the required standards1.
Select the audit team: The individual(s) managing the audit programme are responsible for selecting the audit team. This ensures that the team has the appropriate skills and knowledge for the audit1.
These roles are essential to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the audit process. The audit team conducts the actual audit, the team leader oversees the audit process, the certification body grants the certification, and the management of the audit program ensures that the right team is in place to conduct the audit1.
Based on the description of the image you’ve provided, here’s how the activities match with the responsible parties in the context of a third-party audit:
Review the organization’s processes: This activity is typically the responsibility of the Audit Team. They are tasked with examining the processes to ensure they meet the requirements of the standard being audited.
Review the audit results: The Audit Team Leader is usually responsible for this activity. They oversee the audit process and are in charge of reviewing the findings and ensuring that the audit objectives are met.
Issue the certificate: The Certification Body is responsible for issuing the certificate if the organization’s management system is found to be in compliance with the standard.
Select the audit team: The Individual(s) managing the audit programme are responsible for selecting the audit team. They ensure that the team has the appropriate competence and resources to effectively conduct the audit.
These roles are defined within the framework of ISO 9001:2015 and are essential for the proper conduct of a third-party audit. The audit team and its leader play a critical role in the operational aspects of the audit, while the certification body and those managing the audit programme have overarching responsibilities for the audit’s governance and integrity.
