Internal audits are a key element of management systems, defined by the ISO standards such as the 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 standards. They are conducted by an organisation’s own employees or a contractor to evaluate the effectiveness of their management system and identify opportunities for improvement.
There are several reasons why it is important to conduct internal audits (IA):
- To ensure that the management system is being implemented and maintained effectively – Internal audits can help an organisation identify any weaknesses or non-conformities in the management system and take corrective action to address them.
- To identify opportunities for improvement – Internal audits can help an organisation identify areas of its management system that are working well and areas where there is room for improvement. This can help the organisation continuously improve its management system, and the products and services it provides.
- To demonstrate to interested parties that the organisation’s management system is effective – An IA can provide evidence that the organisation’s management system is working as intended and that it is meeting the requirements of the ISO standards. This can be important for maintaining the trust and confidence of customers, regulators, and other stakeholders.
- To prepare for external audits – Internal audits can help an organisation identify any areas of its management system that may need attention before an external audit, such as an audit for ISO certification. This can help the organisation improve its chances of passing the external audit from an accredited certification body like Adaptive Certifications.
Overall, conducting internal audits is an important part of maintaining an effective management system and continuously improving the products and services an organisation provides.
See more about what is required to achieve certification in our downloadable documents.
