ISO/IEC 17025:2005 QMS Lead Auditor Course

The course was extremely well organised, relevant to my QMS and professionally implemented. The instructor was fantastic, providing a great deal of energy and interest to a subject normally very dry. He was dynamic, engaging and provided real world examples that I could easily relate to. ~ Canadian Grain Commission

Overview

This intensive, challenging and highly interactive and practical course is designed to develop delegates' auditing skills to conduct Quality Management System (QMS) audits against the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, in order to:

• Promote the role of audits within the management system programme and the role of auditors in supporting laboratory compliance and competency improvements.
• Objectively assess compliance of laboratories to meet accreditation body requirements
• Contribute to the requirements to register as an IRCA Lead Auditor.

Our course is approved by IRCA and meets the training requirements for individuals seeking registration as a Lead Auditor under the IRCA Auditor Registration Scheme.

Course Objectives

Our course will equip delegates with an in-depth knowledge of the requirements and principles of QMS's and how ISO/IEC 17025 is incorporated into the overall quality system, providing laboratory/quality practitioners and systems auditors with the understanding and skills necessary to professionally audit a laboratory management system.

Key Skills / Learning Objectives

Through the combination of interactive tutorials, practical workshops, photo site tour, case studies and simulated laboratory audits, our course will enable the delegates to:

• Develop practical audit skills and apply the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 to the specific processes and needs of the company.
• Assess compliance of an organisation's testing and calibration laboratory practices to meet the company's own internal or external (e.g. Accreditation Body) requirements.
• Plan, develop and implement an internal audit process appropriate to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025.
• Conduct audits to professional criteria with confidence, gathering objective evidence through observation, interviewing, document trails to provide factual audit reports that will facilitate improvements to the management system.
• Achieve the formal training requirements to allow progression to becoming an IRCA Registered Lead Auditor

Practical workshops are designed to reinforce the discussions and topics, building on skills of audit planning and structure, nonconformity writing, conducting audit interviews, evaluating findings and reporting results back to Senior Management. Evening work groups prepare responses to a case study that is featured during the week.

This style of delivery makes the course both memorable and enjoyable for participants, ensuring long-term learning.

Course Outline

• Overview of the ISO/IEC 17025 requirements
• Principles of auditing, the audit cycle and implementing an audit system
• Auditing skills and techniques:
  • Planning - use of checklists, resources and timing
  • Selection of audit teams
  • Interviewing and evaluation of information and findings
  • Observation - objective evidence
  • Evaluating the significance of nonconformities
  • Communicating and presenting audit reports
  • Corrective actions and effective follow-up programmes
  • Effective improvement - planning, monitoring and results
• Accreditation and certification activities
• Exam
• Sources of information and further development

Tutored Audits - Following the course, participants have an opportunity for further development for their subsequent in-company audits to be observed and tutored to provide practical on-site training.

Who Should Attend?

• Individuals wishing to perform audits to ISO/IEC 17025
• Companies seeking ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation
• Laboratory Managers and Supervisors
• Companies that recognize the value of operating effective laboratory management systems
• Existing ISO 9001 / ISO/TS 16949 auditors who are looking to expand their skills in the area of laboratory practices or who wish to audit laboratory environments
• Supplier quality auditors wishing to evaluate laboratory service suppliers

Booking and Course Fees

Delegates successfully completing the course and exam will be awarded an IRCA registered certificate.

Fees include:

• Registered IRCA certificate verifying attendance and completion of course
• Student Manual, including substantial reference information
• Training provided by qualified and experienced tutors with extensive practical management auditing experience across a variety of manufacture and service industries
• Lunch and refreshments during the day
• Residential accommodation and evening meal (4 nights)

Variable discounts available if 2 or more delegates are booked on the same course

Please complete the booking form and return together with the relevant fee. Contact us for further information.

More Information

Training course description in PDF
ISO/IEC 17025 course dates and venues
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