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QHSE Glossary

Audit

A systematic, independent examination of processes, products, or systems to verify compliance with defined standards.

Audit

Audit (Systematic Examination of Management Systems) is a critical concept in quality, health, safety, and environmental management.

What Is Audit?

An audit is a systematic, independent, and documented process for obtaining objective evidence and evaluating it to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled. ISO 19011:2018 provides guidelines for auditing management systems. Audits can be internal (first-party), customer (second-party), or certification (third-party). The audit process includes: planning, preparation, conducting (opening meeting, evidence gathering, closing meeting), reporting, and follow-up. Effective auditing requires competent auditors with knowledge of auditing principles, applicable standards, and the organisation's sector.

Audit Requirements Under UK Law

ISO 9001:2015 Clause 9.2 requires organisations to conduct internal audits at planned intervals. ISO 19011:2018 provides the framework. UKAS requires certification bodies to follow ISO 17021-1. In regulated industries: FDA conducts unannounced inspections under 21 CFR; HSE conducts proactive and reactive workplace inspections under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; Environment Agency inspects permitted facilities. Failure to maintain audit programmes can result in certification withdrawal, regulatory enforcement, and contract loss.

Key Components of Audit

  • Internal audit (1st party)
  • Supplier audit (2nd party)
  • Certification audit (3rd party)
  • Process audit
  • Product audit
  • System audit
  • Compliance audit
  • Layered process audit

Audit in Practice

A multi-site manufacturer (4 facilities, ISO 9001 + AS9100) manages their complete audit programme in Q-Hub. They schedule 48 internal audits per year covering all clauses across all sites. Auditors use tablets for evidence capture — photos, document references, and interview notes. Non-conformances auto-generate CAPAs with assigned owners and due dates. The audit dashboard shows 94% on-time completion rate and average finding closure within 18 days.

How to Manage Audit with Q-Hub

Q-Hub provides comprehensive tools for Audit management. The Audit Management module handles the core requirements. Combined with document control, audit scheduling, and training management, Q-Hub ensures your Audit processes are audit-ready at all times.

Related Terms

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Related QHSE Terms

  • AS9100 — The aerospace quality management standard, based on ISO 9001 with additional requirements for aviati
  • Bow-Tie Analysis — A visual risk assessment method that maps the causes of an event, the event itself, its consequences
  • CAPA — Corrective and Preventive Action — a systematic approach to investigating root causes of non-conform
  • COSHH — Control of Substances Hazardous to Health — UK regulations requiring employers to control exposure t
  • Calibration — The process of comparing measurement equipment against a known standard to ensure accuracy and trace
AS9100 Back to Glossary Bow-Tie Analysis