A remote certification audit is similar to an on-site audit for most firms. External auditors are expected to:

• Examine your company’s paperwork to ensure it meets ISO 9001:2015 regulations.
• Examine the efficacy of your Quality Management System.
• Any noncompliances should be reported (also called nonconformities).
• Make a plan for future surveillance audits.

The primary distinction between remote and traditional audits is that remote ISO 9001 audits are done using video conferencing technology and do not need auditors to visit your company’s facilities. This not only helps to cut audit costs, but it also helps to reduce the carbon footprint associated with automobile and plane travel, as well as making the audit process quicker, less disruptive, and ultimately more rewarding and productive for everyone involved.

Costs and terminology

Auditors that undertake the remote ISO 9001 certification audit are Accredited Registrar personnel or representatives, who are members of an Accreditation Board.

Accreditation Boards (also known as Accreditation Bodies) are frequently governed by their respective national governments. Each EU member must designate a national Accreditation Board (for example, UKAS in the United Kingdom). Australia and New Zealand have their own Joint Accreditation System (JAS-ANZ), whereas the United States has a number of Accreditation Boards (for example, ANAB, the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board).

The cost varies from registrar to registrar and nation to country. In the United States, registrars charge between USD $1000 and $2000 for registration, and between USD $1000 to $2000 per auditor day. Small firms might just need one audit day.

We recommend that you begin by choosing a registrar who can do remote certification audits. Most do, but it’s important to choose a registrar early in the deployment process so that your company can plan ahead and budget correctly.

Planning

Advance preparation, which is critical for both the company and the auditor, generally begins with a discussion about video conferencing software. Once a platform has been decided upon, the auditor will promote a test run to confirm that audit participants have video access, functional speakers and headphones, and that any software or hardware concerns have been resolved.

The auditor will next seek copies of your organization’s paperwork and records, as well as video footage of your premises and production locations. Because many smaller businesses preserve only physical copies of their records, papers may need to be scanned or photographed. If your company is in the forestry or agriculture sectors, Alternatively, if your facilities are large and difficult to visualize, the auditor may request drone footage.

In the spirit of risk management, the auditor would most likely recommend a backup or recovery plan to address any issues that may arise if an unanticipated occurrence occurs. Such situations might include the video platform malfunctioning, an internet connection failing, or a power outage in the office. Typically, planning finishes with the auditor preparing an audit schedule. Coffee breaks and potential time discrepancies will be accommodated.

Hardware and software requirements:

The hardware and software requirements for a remote audit are simple. All workers participating in the audit will require a reliable internet connection as well as a contemporary browser such as Chrome or Safari. Video conferencing software is also required. Zoom, MS Teams, Skype, and Google Meet are all popular systems. While some auditors may prefer one platform over another, they are typically highly
adaptable and ready to use your organization’s preferred software. It’s simple to install video conferencing software if you haven’t already.

Auditors may request to remotely visit your organization’s premises or facilities throughout the audit, so you’ll need someone on hand to do live walkthroughs. These may be accomplished with either a smartphone or smart glasses.

The ISO 9001 remote audit

Typically, the audit will begin with what is known as the opening meeting. This will be a chance for introductions and for the auditor to reiterate what was addressed during pre-audit planning. The audit commences once audit attendees have validated their awareness of what is expected of them and how the procedure will develop.

A typical question at this stage is how long it will take and whether it will be faster than a traditional, on-site audit. The remote ISO 9001 audit might take as short as one day for small businesses or those with only a few operations. Remote audits will almost always be faster since the travel component is eliminated.
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