ISO9000 Registration Process
6. Surveillances
After you are registered, the process doesn't end. ISO 9001 certification is not a one-time activity. Achieving certification means that you have developed, implemented and are maintaining a quality management system that minimally meets the requirements of ISO 9001. To ensure the system is maintained and changes don't result in deficiencies in the system, Registrars perform regular surveillances of your system.
Generally, every six months to one year, depending on the company size and your Registrar, surveillance is conducted. The surveillance is similar to the registration assessment only smaller in scope. Not as much time is spent and only a portion of the ISO standard is covered. Over the three-year period of your certificate, the surveillances cover all elements. Nonconformities are handled in the same manner as the registration assessment.
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