PECB ISO-9001-Lead-Auditor Exam With Confidence Using Practice Dumps

ISO 9001:2015 requires that nonconformities be objective, evidence-based, and referenced against defined requirements , not personal, prescriptive, or solution-driven.

When a nonconformity is raised, it must clearly show what requirement was not met and what objective evidence demonstrates this failure .

✅ Why D (Audit criteria) is required

A nonconformity must reference the requirement that was not fulfilled (e.g., ISO 9001 clause, procedure, contract, or legal requirement).

ISO 9001 defines nonconformity as “non-fulfilment of a requirement” .

Without audit criteria, there is no basis for declaring a nonconformity.

???? Supported by:

Clause 9.2.2 – Internal audits must determine whether the QMS conforms to requirements

Clause 10.2.2 – Documented information shall describe the nature of the nonconformity

✅ Why E (Relevant audit evidence) is required

ISO 9001 requires decisions and conclusions (including audit findings) to be based on evidence .

Audit evidence ensures objectivity and prevents subjective or opinion-based findings.

???? Supported by:

Clause 9.1.3 – Analysis and evaluation shall be based on data and information

Clause 9.2.2 – Audit results must demonstrate conformity or nonconformity based on evidence

❌ Why the other options are NOT correct

A (Name of person responsible) ISO 9001 focuses on system and process failures , not blaming individuals.

B (Target time for corrective action) This is part of corrective action planning , not the nonconformity statement itself (Clause 10.2).

C (Name of technical expert) ISO 9001 does not require identifying auditors or experts in the nonconformity statement.

F (Action to eliminate the nonconformity) Auditors must not prescribe solutions . The auditee determines corrective actions (Clause 10.2).

ISO 9001:2015 requires that certification audits be planned, controlled, and conducted in a way that ensures valid and reliable audit conclusions . However, ISO 9001 does not give operational detail on how to manage disrupted audits. For this, ISO 9001 explicitly refers to ISO 19011 and certification schemes require escalation to the audit programme or certification management function .

ISO 9001:2015, Clause 9.2.2 (NOTE) states that guidance on auditing management systems is provided in ISO 19011.

In a Stage 2 certification audit , all applicable processes within the scope must be audited before a certification decision can be made. The laboratory at Site 2 is clearly part of the operational scope and cannot be audited due to circumstances outside the organisation’s control (health and safety risk).

Why option C is correct:

Certification audits operate under a controlled certification programme , not solely at the discretion of the audit team leader.

ISO 19011 requires auditors to act responsibly when conditions prevent safe or complete auditing and to escalate significant changes or risks .

Certification bodies require the Audit Programme Manager (or Certification Manager) to decide whether the audit should be paused, partially completed, rescheduled, or split to preserve certification integrity.

Therefore, seeking direction from the audit Programme Manager is the correct and compliant action.

Comprehensive and Detailed In-Depth Explanation:

Once a Stage 2 certification audit has commenced, certain logistical or planning-related elements may still be adjusted, while others are fixed by prior agreement and cannot be changed.

✅ C. Audit Plan:

The audit plan is a document that outlines the scope, objectives, criteria, and logistics of the audit. According to ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 (the standard for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems), clause 9.2.3.3 allows for modification of the audit plan based on real-time conditions during the audit — such as availability of auditees or changes in process access.

✅ F. Increase of Audit Duration:

Audit duration is generally determined during audit planning based on factors like employee count, risk, complexity, etc. However, if during Stage 2 it is found that more time is needed (e.g., due to additional processes, scope not fully covered, or significant findings), auditors are permitted to extend the audit. This ensures full coverage of all required areas as per ISO/IEC 17021-1 clause 9.1.4 and IAF MD 5.

❌ A. Agreed Language of the Audit:

This is determined and agreed upon in the contract and audit planning stages. Changing it during Stage 2 would create communication and documentation issues, especially in multi-site or multi-national audits.

❌ B. Audit Scope:

The audit scope is defined in the contract and certification agreement based on clause 4.3 of ISO 9001:2015. Changing it mid-audit would invalidate planning, required competencies, and potentially even the certification basis.

❌ D. Agreed Standard for the Audit Criteria:

Changing the standard (e.g., from ISO 9001 to ISO 13485) is fundamentally altering the purpose and contractual basis of the audit and is not permissible once Stage 2 has started.

❌ E. Audit Checklist:

The checklist is a tool prepared by the auditor as part of audit preparation and is based on the audit plan and standard requirements. While it may be adapted during the audit (e.g., if new risks arise), it does not constitute a formal change like duration or scope.

Relevant References:

ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Clause 9.2.3.3 (Audit Plan Modification)

IAF MD 5:2019 (Duration of QMS Audits)

ISO 9001:2015 Clause 4.3 (Scope of the QMS)

ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 Clause 9.1.4 (Audit Duration)