AS 9104/1 revisions

What are the changes?

AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001 specifies how the AS 91XX scheme is implemented. This revision is therefore significant in its effects on all stakeholders. The changes will come into effect in accordance with the supplementary rules which will be issued by the IAQG to control the transition. The revised standard is expected to be published in June 2021, but this is subject to the IAQG ballot process.

The revisions will provide AS 91XX organizations with a range of new business improvement opportunities, including flexibility in assignment of audit time to where it is most needed, the possibility of conducting a greater proportion of each audit remotely (outside COVID alleviations), and concurrent integrated auditing of your integrated management systems, such as ISO 14001 Environmental Management, ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety, ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management and so on.

A summary of the main changes;

1. Simplified structures	Structures will be simplified to either single or multi. Organizations whose current structure is “complex”, “campus” or “several”, will need to transition to a “multi” structure probably at the point of recertification, dependent on the transition rules set by the IAQG. This simplification is being implemented in part due to changes set out by the accreditation rules (under the IAF) and partly to reflect the needs of industry. This change will affect audit durations.
2. New method for calculating audit time	OCAP (Organization Certification Analysis Programme) is a new method for calculating audit duration and audit time, taking into account the risks at an organization (processes, complexity etc.). Audit time is the sum of audit duration (time spent actually auditing) plus planning and reporting. The new standard adds 10% of the audit duration to planning and 10% for report writing. This time is being built in to further improve the quality of the audit and enhance the organization’s audit experience and audit effectiveness, with organizations participating in the important planning phase.
3. Increase in remote audit component	In response to COVID-19, the IAQG has allowed Certification Bodies to conduct remote audits when possible. These temporary alleviations have allowed up to 100% of audits to be conducted remotely in approved circumstances. Prior to the introduction of the COVID-19 alleviations, up to 30% of audits could be conducted remotely. The AS 9104/1 / EN 9104-001 revisions include an increase in the maximum permitted remote audit proportion percentage, from 30% to 50%. This brings all the additional benefits of AS 91XX remote audits, including flexibility, reduced travel for your team and ours, engagement with your teams no matter where they are based, and access to our global network of experts. Find out more about AS 91XX remote audits >
4. Introduction of Integrated Management Systems (IMS)	Integrated audits of Integrated Management Systems (IMS) will be permitted, enabling organizations to integrate their other management systems with their AS 91XX Quality Management System and synchronise their audits. The introduction of integrated audits provides organizations with a range of benefits, including efficiencies and cost savings due to meeting all standard requirements with one set of policies and procedures, sharing of ideas and improvements across your Management Systems, mutual support across your systems and teams, reduced duplication, disruption and resource demand.
5. Introduction of PBSRP (Performance Based Surveillance/Recertification Programme)	PBS/RP replaces Advanced Surveillance and Recertification Program (ASRP) as ASRP no longer exists under the IAF accreditation rules. Instead, the IAQG is developing its own version, PBS/RP, subject to IAF approval. Subject to meeting the necessarily high entry and maintenance criteria, an organization may be able to reduce its 3^rd party audit duration significantly. To be eligible the organization must use internal auditors that are AEA qualified per AS/EN 9104-003, deliver thorough and robust internal audits, have consistently met (and continue to meet) customer requirements for OTD and product conformity for at least one audit cycle (3 years) and have consistently met (and continue to meet) internal KPIs, i.e. have a thoroughly effective Quality Management System, for at least one audit cycle.