Organizational Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities for ISO 9001
You should record evidence that your personnel have been advised of their roles, responsibilities and authorities and that they also understand their duties in the context of what the QMS is intending to achieve.
Each employee needs to know who is responsible for the various elements of the QMS to ensure a successful implementation. You should develop and make available to all employees a list of key personnel and their job descriptions, responsibilities, along with an organizational chart of key employees as they relate to the QMS.
This should effectively define, document, and communicate the organizational structure of the QMS. Please note that this method is a suggestion, and other ways of meeting the requirement for organizational structure may be used.
Each employee should also be aware of the Quality Policy and Quality Objectives and how they can contribute to them.
How to Implement the Requirements
Roles and responsibilities - develop an organization chart and create job descriptions to satisfy the requirements:
- Clearly define roles, responsibilities and authorities
- Communicate those responsibilities and authorities throughout the organization
- Check the requirements are communicated and customer focus understood
- Responsibility for reporting, monitoring measuremen, nonconformity and corrective action
Examples of objective evidence to verify implementation might include:
- Communication of roles, responsibilities and authority
- Processes and procedures to fulfill requirements are adequately resourced
- Awareness of expectations is demonstrated in all relevant levels of the organization
- Reporting on the operation (audits & inspections) nonconformity and performance of the QMS is done (business meetings, KPI reviews, etc.)
ISO standards dictate you should seek evidence that your organization’s personnel have not only been advised of their QMS responsibilities and authorities, but also that they understand these in the context of the overall purpose of the QMS.
Top Managements' Responsibilities
It is a requirement of ISO that Top Management must assign relevant roles, responsibilities and authority for:
- Preserving the integrity of the organization’s QMS during changes
- Determining opportunities for improvement
Related Information You Might Find Useful
- 5.3 Organizational Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities [ISO 14001]
- 5.3 organizational Roles, Responsibilities and Authorities [ISO 45001]
ISO 9001
Roles & Responsibilities Procedure
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