The Process includes:

1. Customer Meeting (this step is optional)

• process overview
• meet audit team
• site evaluation
• business review
• audit scope
• schedule review

2. Pre-Assessment (this step is optional, but recommended)

An on-site evaluation of the management system, on all or a portion of the standards requirements, to determine the level of system implementation and readiness for Stage 2 audit.

3. Stage 1 Audit

A comparison of the management system documentation to the standard requirements to assure that all are addressed in the system and to determine readiness for the Stage 2 Audit. This review is typically performed on-site.

4. Stage 2 Audit

An on-site evaluation of the management system for compliance to all the standard requirements and verification of sufficient implementation.

The duration of this audit is based on:
number of employees
number of facilities/sites
number of registrations required

5. Surveillance Audits (Annual or Semi-Annual)

On-site evaluations of the management system, on a portion of the standard requirements, to monitor and verify continued system compliance, effectiveness, improvements, and changes.  Over a 3 year period all standard requirements will be evaluated.

 6. Recertification

An on-site evaluations of the management system to verify the continued fulfillment of all of the standard requirements.