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What Is ISO 19011?

"What is ISO 19011?", is a question we get ask on to rare occasion. It seems that a lot of people are not familar with this document. Although, many are internal auditors in ISO 9001 certified companies.

ISO 19011:2002 is the new guideline for auditing quality and/or environmental management systems. It replaced the previous 10012 guides.

ISO 19011 provides guidance on the principles of auditing, managing audit programs, conducting Quality Management System (QMS) audits and Environmental Management System (EMS) audits. It includes guidance on the competence of quality and environmental management system auditors.

It applies to all organizations wanting to perform internal or external audits of quality and/or environmental management systems or to manage an audit program. The application of the guidelines to other types of audits is possible in principle. Special consideration should be given to identifying the competence needed by the audit team members.

Process Audits Are Emphasized

The most significant change brought about with ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 19011:2002 is the concept of auditing for process and system effectiveness. The previous two editions of the standard and their audit guidelines focused on compliance to the clauses/sections in the standards.

An organization must still comply with the ISO 9001 requirements, otherwise there would be very little point to having a standard. However, the primary focus of the audit is on meeting customer requirements through controlled and effective processes. And, meeting the objectives for the process and continually improving the processes.

The individual sections of ISO 19011 are discussed on the linked pages shown at the bottom of this page.

Management System Audit

What exactly is a "management system audit"?

It is a continual improvement activity.
It is a friendly process.
It is a planned activity.
It is conducted by a competent auditor.

Management system audits are used to detect any weaknesses or potential weaknesses in the company that could effect customers. In the case of environmental management system audits, they are conducted as a pollution prevention activity.

The links below are excerpts from the our e-book

"Explanations and Definitions for ISO 19011:2002"

Section 1. ISO 19011 Scope reference and definitions

Section 2. ISO 19011 Principles of auditing

Section 3. ISO 19011 Managing an audit program

Section 4. ISO 19011 Audit program implementation

Section 5. ISO 19011 Audit activities

Section 6. ISO 19011 Preparing for onsite activities

Section 7. ISO 19011 Conducting onsite activities

Section 8. ISO 19011 What the auditor is looking for

Section 9 ISO 19011 Audit reporting

Section 10. ISO 19011 Audit techniques

Section 11. ISO 19011 Audit path

Section 12. ISO 19011 Effective communications

Section 13. ISO 19011 Sampling

Section 14. ISO 19011 Audit completion and follow-up

Section 15. ISO 19011 Competence and evaluation of auditors

This represents a summary of the section in ISO 19011:2002. It's suggested that you obtain a copy of our ebook to refer to when auditing.

EBook "Explanations and Definitions for ISO 19011:2002