ISO 19011

ISO 19011 is an international standard that provides guidance on auditing management systems. It outlines the principles of auditing, managing an audit program, and conducting quality management system and environmental management system audits, as well as guidance on the competence of auditors. The standard is applicable to all organizations that need to conduct internal or external audits of management systems or manage an audit program.

The standard covers a range of topics, including:

• Principles of auditing: Integrity, fair presentation, due professional care, confidentiality, independence, evidence-based approach, and risk-based approach.
• Managing an audit program: Establishing, implementing, monitoring, reviewing, and improving an audit program to ensure its effectiveness. This includes determining the objectives, scope, and resources for the audit program.
• Conducting an audit: Planning, executing, reporting, and following up on audits. This includes preparing audit plans, collecting audit evidence, evaluating audit findings, and preparing audit reports.
• Competence of auditors: Defining the knowledge, skills, and personal attributes necessary for auditors to effectively conduct audits. This includes auditor evaluation and training.

ISO 19011 is intended to be used by a wide range of users, including auditors, organizations implementing management systems, and certification bodies. It can be applied to audit any management system, including those based on ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems). It provides a consistent and reliable framework for conducting audits, which helps to ensure the credibility and value of the audit process. The standard is periodically revised to reflect changes in auditing practices and technology.