FAQ n.19047

Does the CAMO or CAO compliance monitoring/quality system need to be subject to internal audit?

Answer

Yes, the compliance monitoring/quality system is part of the activities of the CAMO or CAO and therefore it should be monitored by internal audit.

Points M.A.712(b), CAMO.A.200(a)(6) or CAO.A.100(b) requires that the compliance monitoring/quality system monitors the compliance of the organisation with its relevant requirements and procedures.

The compliance monitoring/quality procedures are considered to be within the scope of this monitoring function. Therefore, the compliance monitoring/quality system should also be subject to audits and the CAMO or CAO audit programme/plan needs to reflect this.

Besides that, the audits conducted in respect of the compliance monitoring/quality system should satisfy the requirement of independence. This means that audits should be carried out by personnel not responsible for the functions, procedures or products being checked.

So, the compliance monitoring/quality staff cannot audit the compliance monitoring/ quality system themselves because of the necessary independence of the audit. Therefore, to audit the compliance monitoring/quality system, it is acceptable:

  • to use competent personnel from a different section/department in the same organisation not responsible for the compliance monitoring/quality function/ procedure, or,
  • to contract the independent audit element of the compliance monitoring/quality system to another organisation or a qualified competent person, or,
  • that the compliance monitoring/quality system is monitored and certified against an internationally recognised standards by a certification organisation.

The way the compliance monitoring/quality system is going to be audited has to be described in the CAME or CAE and approved by the competent authority.

For a small CAO, as defined in CAO.A.100(e), the quality system may be replaced by regular organisational review. Further information on the organisational review can be found in ‘AMC1 CAO.A.100(f)’ and ‘Appendix II to AMC1 CAO.A.100(f)’.

Last updated
28/01/2021

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