Certification Support & Audit Preparation

How do we reduce duplicate documents?

Duplicate documents are usually reduced by identifying processes that serve more than one standard, such as document control, competence, audits and management review, and then using a single set of procedures and records for them.

The Garek 10 approach groups requirements by process, which makes it easier to merge similar documents, remove overlap and keep one current version of each record.

What does an integrated audit look like?

In an integrated audit, auditors review your management system against multiple standards in one combined programme. Rather than auditing quality, environment and health and safety separately, they follow processes such as sales, operations or maintenance and check how each relevant requirement is met within those processes.

The Garek 10 Framework supports this by linking evidence to processes, so the same activity can demonstrate compliance with several standards during a single audit.

What support can we get before a certification audit?

Before a certification audit, organisations can benefit from a structured review of documents and evidence, a check that processes match the requirements of the standard, rehearsal of audit roles, and clarification of any open nonconformities or actions.

Garek 10 uses gap assessments and audit simulations to help teams understand what auditors will look for and to address issues in advance.

Can you help if we have had problems in past audits?

Yes. Previous audits often highlight patterns such as unclear responsibilities, inconsistent records or processes that are not followed in practice. These can be reviewed and used as a starting point for improvement.

The Garek 10 Framework looks at findings across all standards in one place so that underlying causes can be addressed and the same issues do not reappear at future audits.

Do you support initial certification and surveillance audits?

Initial certification audits, surveillance audits and recertification audits all follow similar principles but have different scopes and timings. Support can include planning the audit cycle, preparing evidence for each stage and reviewing results between visits.

Garek 10 structures this over the three-year certification cycle so SMEs can plan resources and improvements around audit dates.

What happens if the auditor raises nonconformities?

If nonconformities are raised, the organisation needs to understand the issue, agree corrective actions and provide evidence that those actions have been completed and are effective. This usually involves updating processes, records or training and then following up to confirm that changes are working.

The Garek 10 method links nonconformities back to processes and standards so that actions are clear and can be tracked through to closure.

How far in advance should we start preparing for an audit?

It is helpful to begin focused audit preparation several weeks or months before the audit date, depending on the size and complexity of the system. This allows time to review processes, tidy evidence, brief key staff, and run an internal or simulated audit.

Using a framework such as Garek 10 means that audit preparation becomes a structured exercise rather than a last-minute scramble.