A strong ISO 9001 Internal Audit keeps the organizations Quality Management System running. It evaluates gaps between and within the processes and identifies area for improvement. Internal Audit is the performance indicator of organization’s performance and keeps the system ready for external and certification audit.
In todays blog we will discuss what your company need to prepare for external or customer audit, the skillset that is required for competent internal auditors, what are the common findings in 2025 External Audits, and a complete internal audit checklist you can use immediately.
Kadmar Consultants understands the need of strong Internal Audit system and how it shapes your organization’s performance. Conducting the audit to satisfy certification need is one thing but to conduct an audit to review performance and drive culture of continuous improvement is another thing.
We provide both ISO 9001 Internal Auditor Training Courses for your team to achieve competency and conduct Internal Audit. Further we provide Internal Audit services for your organization and act as your admin and get you through certification audit.
An internal audit reviews and validates the processes in the Quality Management System.
Importance of Internal Audit
An effective Internal Audit helps manufacturers achieve competitive edge by reduce Cost of Poor Quality (CoPQ), eliminating repeat issues and customer complaints. Improvised On Time Delivery and ultimately reduce certification audit failures
External auditors frequently say:
“The quality of the internal audit program reflects the quality of the entire QMS.”
Frequency of Internal Audit
The entire Quality Management System is required to be audited over a period of 3 years, and all processes frequency depends on the risk factors associated with ach process.
Who Should Conduct the Internal Audit?
Competent Internal Auditors are required to conduct the audit as per ISO 9001 requirement. Internal Auditor should be competent and trained, understands process approach and risk-based thinking and can align organizations scope and purpose with each individual process objective.
Many organizations prefer external consultants to perform their internal audits as they have separate set of eyes to view organization performance and gap and can prevent certification audit failures due to expert experience.
Below is a comprehensive checklist covering major clauses and manufacturing-specific requirements.
For 2025 there is a complete list of common audit failure and finding. To review the complete list for automotive, follow the blog IATF 16949 Non-Conformities and How To Avoid Them.
We provide expert driven ISO 9001 Internal Audit services, here is a guideline for your organization as well. Review your organization’s process map, scope and objective and validate all documentation matches actual workflow. All risk assessments are up to date and controls are followed. Contingency plan is in place as controls malfunction. Measurement System Analysis is another big area to focus on. Validate all equipment’s are calibrated at defined interval and competent resource is available. Supervisor should engage employees and all of them should be trained on core values of ISO 9001 requirements and organization’s purpose. Management Review should be conducted at regular interval, at least annually. Conduct preaudit assessment before the external audit and correct all the gaps.
Kadmar Consultants provides ISO 9001 Implementation, training and Internal Audit services for manufacturers and automotive organizations globally with regional support across Canada and the United States.
Contact us today to schedule on-site or virtual support.
Author: Asma Rashid
As we understand the purpose and need of a Quality Management System and decide to go ahead with ISO 9001 Certification process, the main objective is to implement it in fast and effective manner with controlled budget. These are all correct aim and therefore it leads to following questions.
Kadmar Consultants is here to answer all your queries and provide you with information that will help you in implementing the system effectively.
ISO 9001 an internal standard of Quality Management System built on the seven principles that promotes risk-based thinking, proactive approach, control processes, improve product consistency, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction. the seven principles are,
The reputation the standard has built can be traced back to World War 1, ISO 9001 is a standardization tool that provided manufacturing, automotive and service organizations a strong framework around which they run and compete to build operational excellence. In this competitive era when customer demands, supply chain issues, and rising defects, is critical, ISO 9001 provides a solution for all theses issues.
Reduced rework, scrap, and defects
Standardized processes across departments
The timeline for each organization is different and depends on the complexity of the processes.
Below is an estimated guide based on the projects we served in 2025.
Small companies (10–25 employees): 1-2 months
Medium companies (25–100 employees): 3-4 months
Large facilities: 4-5 months
ISO 9001 cost has two parts:
Implementation Cost
Small: $10,000 to $20,000
Medium: $20,000–$30,000
Large: $30,000+
Kadmar Consultants not only implement a system so you are certified but develops a system that will sustain and grow.
Certification Body Audit Cost
This is paid to an accredited certification body (not to consultants).
Average range:
Small: $3,000–$6,000
Medium: $6,000–$12,000
Large: $12,000–$20,000+
Step 1: Gap Assessment
A consultant or internal team will review the current system based on the standard and will identify gap in system, missing procedures, missing and weak controls, supply chain issue, competency not built. Based on the analysis a roadmap will be provided that will reflect the implementation plan.
Step 2: Documentation Development
The second stage will lead to document development based on the processes. Usually the documents are,
The important step to make implementation effective is to provide employee training and increase employee engagement and ownership.
Training includes:
Step 4: Implement the QMS
This is where the real change happens and if step 3 is effective this phase will go smoothly.
Step 5: Internal Audit
Implement an Internal Audit Program that includes all the processes based on risk assessment and evaluates the effectiveness Quality Management System.
Accredited certification body conducts audit in two stages:
Stage 1 Audit: Reviews documentation, Scope, changes, processes and other mandatory requirements.
Stage 2 Audit: Validates effectiveness of the system and if intend of the standard is met.
If all requirements are met, your company becomes ISO 9001 Certified.
Kadmar Consultants help organizations achieve ISO 9001 Certification faster by implementing the system correctly and embed continuous improvement into the culture.
Tips companies can use on their own is,
Common ISO 9001 Mistakes Manufacturers Make
Ready to achieve ISO 9001 certification with confidence? Contact Us today to schedule a consulting session or ISO 9001 training program tailored to your organization.