The CQI Standards Panel wants you!

The CQI Standards Panel drives forward the CQI|IRCA’s contribution to the evolution of domestic and international standards. The six-member group is currently recruiting up to four additional members and is seeking applications from IRCA and CQI members who are passionate about shaping the standards world.

This panel has helped to shape auditing standards ISO 19011 and 17021-3, as well as management systems standards ISO 9001, 9004, 14001 and 45001. It is also currently participating in the development of the new ISO 37000 ‘Guidance for the governance of organizations’.

The Standards Panel is made up of standards experts, innovators, visionaries and strategic thinkers. They strive to ensure that IRCA and CQI stakeholders have a voice in the creation, development and revision of standards relating to the quality profession and auditing of management systems. Panel members gain seats at the global level of standards development by applying for and securing ‘liaison’ status on the relevant ISO Project or Technical Committee tasked with developing standards.

Mark Braham, CQP FCQI, is a member of the Standards Panel. He is Chair of the CQI Midlands Regional Committee and Head of Business Assurance at The AA. “When I started my primary directive from CQI was to ensure CQI, as Category A liaison status to TC176, was seen as a player in developing international standards. I was there in the room drafting the latest ISO 9001:2015. I managed to get CQI members comments added to the latest version and [became] known as the CQI expert,” he said.

“The highlight was being recognised as CQI expert and making a valid contribution to the latest ISO 9001:2015, [and] having the kudos to say I was there in the room writing the standard.”

Richard Green, CQP MCQI, is Chair of the CQI Standards Panel and Managing Director of Kingsford Consultancy Services. His highlight has been the contribution the panel has made to ISO 19011:2018 ‘Guidelines for auditing management systems’.

“The CQI had a higher success rate in terms of comments accepted than most National Standards bodies and we were also instrumental in the wording of the new seventh Principle of Audit – Risk based approach to audit. This is a big thing as these principles are the fundamentals on which good audit practise is based,” he said. The 2011 edition had six principles of audit, which lay the foundation for trust in audit.

“In more general terms, it’s our continuing participation in both domestic and international standards development. We are recognised by the BSI and ISO as an organisation that has a willingness and the necessary competence to make a meaningful contribution to the production and revision of a diverse range of management system and auditing standards – standards which are adopted by millions of organisations across the globe.”

The key responsibilities of the CQI Standards Panel include:

• creating, maintaining and reviewing CQI policy and position on the development and implementation of CQI approved standards;
• identifying potential opportunities to influence standards development;
• advising the CQI Executive Team of the impact of standards trends on the CQI and IRCA membership;
• commissioning research to create informed positions on standards development.

If you are keen to pursue this work, or are involved in any other standards development projects, please email CQI Policy Manager Alexander Woods at [email protected].