TÜV Rheinland offers remote audits worldwide
Remote audits possible for many classic standards
The coronavirus crisis has boosted demand for innovative, digital audit processes, and for many companies remote audits are a solution for maintaining their certification despite coronavirus restrictions or for earning an entirely new certification. Remote audits are up to 100% possible for many classic ISO standards, such as ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 27001 for information security or ISO 14001 for environmental management. TÜV Rheinland has created processes and structures at international level that allow it to offer this form of audit worldwide for a wide range of ISO standards. “We have developed a uniform, professional procedure for all management system standards that sets out which parts of an audit are viable for remote procedures, and how the customer can be prepared for a smooth process,” explains Tamas Lovasz Szabo, Regional Stream Coordinator at TÜV Rheinland.
Furthermore, TÜV Rheinland is constantly monitoring developments in which standards can be implemented on the basis of remote audits, and is in close contact with accreditors. This ensures that, especially in COVID times, companies have flexible options for responding quickly to local developments in the pandemic.
Structured, professional procedure for remote audits
The remote audit has several stages. A risk analysis determines which processes at the customer company can be audited remotely. “There are differences depending on the standard and the company. For a smaller service company that wants to have its quality management system audited in line with ISO 9001, the remote portion of the audit is probably higher than for a complex company with intensive production. On-site audits of live operations may be unavoidable for the latter, so that, for instance, all occupational health and safety criteria can be monitored live,” explains Tamas Lovasz Szabo. The first stage also ascertains the extent to which the company even meets the technical requirements to have the corresponding parts of the audit performed virtually. The stability of the Internet connection and the communication software available, such as Skype for Business or Zoom, are tested before the audit. A full remote audit of production operations without an on-site presence is possible only if an online video connection is assured. That way, not only can auditors interview the employees in the office, but they can also go through production, track manufacturing processes, visit warehouses, inspect infrastructures and assess the process environment – just as if they were actually there.
Information on remote audits and an overview of the standards for which remote audits are possible can be found here: tuv.li/RemoteSolution
TÜV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in almost all areas of business and life. Founded almost 150 years ago, the company is one of the world’s leading testing service providers with more than 21,400 employees and annual revenues of 2.1 billion euros. TÜV Rheinland’s highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities. Since 2006, TÜV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com
TÜV Rheinland
Am Grauen Stein
51105 Köln
Telefon: +49 (221) 806-2148
http://www.tuv.com
Pressesprecherin Systeme
Telefon: +49 (221) 806-4465
E-Mail: Antje.Golbach@de.tuv.com