What happens if a CB finds nonconformances at a facility during the management systems certification audit?

It's important to note that there are several degrees of nonconformances, or NCRs. Typically, these are minor and major nonconformances, and possibly also observations. An observation is just that: an observation. Not a violation of the criteria, an observation is typically an identification that there may be a better way to monitor a process or document a procedure. It's not a problem, just a potential for improvement - a way to avoid future problems. A minor nonconformance by itself doesn't indicate a systemic problem with the management system. It is typically an isolated or random incident. An example would be not having the most current version of a document available at an operator's station; the updated version exists but a copy of it is not available for the operator's use and the operator is using an outdated procedure. Other examples are a form without a document control number on it, a micrometer that is out of calibration, and an internal audit finding with an overdue ...  more