Whats a Quality Auditor?
Someone who has the skills and experience to audit quality management systems. Think of external quality auditors as akin to examiners. They work for the Certifiers – these are the companies who actually give out the certificates. Certifiers are private organisations (not government bodies) who are accredited to award certificates and are service providers. In Australia, they’re usually called ‘certifiers’, whereas in the USA they are usually called ‘registrars’ or CBs (certifying bodies). Only properly accredited certifiers can award certificates to an ISO Standard. In Australia, certifiers must be accredited via JAS-ANZ. What they do: Audit (test) a quality management system. Decide if it meets all the requirements (complies with) of the relevant Standard. If it does, recommend the certificate be awarded. Issue the certificate. Return and re-audit the system at intervals to make sure it remains compliant. They don’t: Coach, help you prepare, give advice, tell you what to do or explai
