Clause 8.8: Internal audits

What the clause asks for

Clause 8.8 requires internal audits at planned intervals to provide information on whether the management system conforms to the laboratory’s own requirements and to the standard, and whether it is effectively implemented and maintained (8.8.1).

The laboratory plans, establishes, implements and maintains an audit programme, including frequency, methods, responsibilities, planning requirements and reporting, which takes into consideration the importance of the activities concerned, changes affecting the laboratory, and the results of previous audits (8.8.2 a). For each audit it defines the criteria and scope (8.8.2 b), ensures results are reported to relevant management (8.8.2 c), implements appropriate correction and corrective actions without undue delay (8.8.2 d), and retains records as evidence of the programme and the audit results (8.8.2 e).

What assessors sample

Assessors compare the audit programme against the full standard and the scope of accreditation, then read one or two audit reports and follow a finding through to its corrective action. Most accreditation bodies expect every clause and every technical area to be covered within a defined cycle, often twelve months. Common findings:

• Clauses or technical areas missing from the programme.
• Audits planned but not carried out, with no record of rescheduling.
• Auditors auditing their own work where alternatives existed.
• Findings recorded in the report but never raised as nonconformities.

Where this lives in AccreditBook

Requirement	Field in AccreditBook
Programme and frequency (8.8.2 a)	Internal audits calendar: year view of planned and performed audits by clause, with a gap warning for any clause not audited in the cycle
Criteria and scope (8.8.2 b)	Audit title and clauses covered
Planning	Planned on, auditor, auditees, status
Reporting (8.8.2 c)	Performed on, summary, report upload
Correction and corrective action (8.8.2 d)	Findings table: clause, severity (observation, minor, major, opportunity), description, and “Raise NCR” per finding
Records (8.8.2 e)	The audit record, its findings and the Activity tab

Planned audits appear on the due list. A finding raised as a nonconformity stays linked to the audit, so the assessor can follow it from report to closure.

The free internal audit calendar workbook uses the same columns if you want to start in a spreadsheet.

See Internal audits and Nonconformities.