Purpose
This procedure governs how management-system certification audits are planned at General Group Co., from a first application onward — in line with ISO/IEC 17021.
Scope
It covers the planning of all audits in the certification cycle — initial certification, surveillance, and recertification — and the monthly assignment of work to audit teams.
The three-year certification cycle
-
Stage 1
A readiness review — often carried out off-site at the desk — that checks your documentation and preparation and flags any gaps before the main audit.
-
Stage 2
The on-site certification audit, run within six months of Stage 1, ideally by the same lead auditor.
-
Surveillance
Audits in the first and second years confirm the system stays effective.
-
Recertification
A full audit before the certificate expires at the end of the third year renews it for the next cycle.
How audits are planned
- Planning follows ISO/IEC 17021 and our management-system certification procedure.
- An audit programme covers the whole cycle; a detailed audit plan is prepared for each visit.
- Gaps found at Stage 1 must be closed before Stage 2 — within six months, or Stage 1 is repeated.
- Each audit is staffed with qualified lead auditors, auditors and technical experts, independent of the organisation being audited.