SAE AS9101D Page 15 of 24
4.2.2.4 Audit Conduct
[ISO 19011 clause 6.5.2]
The audit should be conducted through the use of various auditing methods (see clause 4.1.2), as defined by the audit
plan. Furthermore, the audit team should pursue relevant audit trails to assist in the determination of quality management
system conformity and effectiveness.
Objective evidence on audit findings shall be recorded in accordance with clause 4.2.2.5.
4.2.2.5 Identifying and Recording of Audit Findings
[ISO/IEC 17021 clauses 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4; ISO 19011 clause 6.5.5]
The audit team shall record detailed objective evidence (e.g., reviewed procedures, shop orders, training records,
products, verification records). The objective evidence shall be recorded on a standardized form [i.e., OER (see
Appendix A)] or on the CB’s own documentation. In this case, the CB document shall meet the intent of the OER. The
completed form(s) shall be included in the audit records maintained by the CB.
NOTE 1: Population of the OER may start during the Stage 1 audit to record the documents reviewed.
NOTE 2: If clause 7 of the 9100-series standards and its’ sub-clauses are associated with processes that are addressed
by PEARs, the objective evidence is only required to be documented on the PEAR. In such case, the PEAR
number should be referenced in the OER.
In addition to recording conformity/nonconformity, the audit team may identify opportunities for improvement.
The NCR (see Appendix B) shall be used to record nonconformities; each NCR shall contain only one nonconformity.
When nonconformities are identified, the audit team shall categorize the nonconformity as ‘major’ or ’minor’, according to
the definitions provided in this standard. The need for containment in accordance with the organization’s corrective action
process shall be reviewed by the audit team.
Recurrence of the same or similar nonconformity found during consecutive audits at a particular site/location shall be
considered as a failure of the corrective action process (see 9100-series standards clause 8.5.2) and shall result in a
major nonconformity being issued.
NOTE 3: If there is no evidence of non-fulfillment of a requirement, the auditor cannot issue a nonconformity. If the
auditor found evidence of non-fulfillment of a requirement, the auditor determines the nonconformity
classification (major/minor). Soft grading of nonconformities and/or identifying them as an observation,
opportunity for improvement, or recommendation does not benefit the organization, its customers, or the CB.
Furthermore, there is risk that the nonconformity be given a lower priority for correction and/or corrective action
or that no action will be taken, and the conditions will expand and/or continue to exist.
The results of effectiveness shall be recorded on the PEAR (see Appendix C) for each audited product realization
process. The level of effectiveness for each recorded process shall be recorded on the PEAR (statement of effectiveness
level). If the level of effectiveness has been classified as a ‘2’ or a ‘1’, this shall result in a nonconformity being issued
against 9100-series standards clauses 4.1.c and f (see clause 4.2.4).
NOTE 4: At the discretion of the auditing organization, other processes can be recorded on a PEAR.
4.2.2.6 Preparing Audit Conclusions
[ISO/IEC 17021 clauses 9.2.4, 9.3, and 9.4; ISO 19011 clause 6.5.6]
Prior to the closing meeting, the audit team shall identify any changes that may be required to the audit program (e.g.,
scope, audit time or timing, surveillance frequency, audit team competence).
Author:Gilligan-SID:9234-GUID:39571924-155.69.4.4