Internal audits are an organisations own process for monitoring the correct implementation of its management system. Internal audits serve three basic purposes:

• To provide assurance to management that the system is operating as intended;
• To investigate the cause of noted problems, determine how the system allowed such problems to occur, and implement corrective action to prevent recurrence;
• To identify opportunities to improve the system or the manner in which it is implemented.

Essentially, internal audits give an organisation assurance regarding the effective operation of its management system and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Internal audit procedures apply to all aspects of the management system, i.e., Quality Management System, Environmental Management System, OH&S Management System etc. Internal audits should be conducted as a scheduled series of detailed examinations to verify that the organisation’s operation complies with the requirements of the integrated quality system. All system work instructions, documents, records and accreditation are included in such audit.

Additionally, unscheduled audits may be carried out to satisfy a specific Corrective & Preventive Action Request. The scope of each such audit may be determined by the importance of the activity that is being audited.

The complete pdf document “Internal Audits” describes the two basic methodologies that are commonly used for conducting compliance audits and outlines in detail the process involved in an internal audit. This documents takes an in-depth look at:

• Auditing concepts.
• Audit program objectives and procedures.
• How to plan and conduct an audit.
• What to audit in various audit situations.
• The most effective information gathering techniques.
• The human relations aspects of auditing.