When nonconformity occurs, the organization shall:
a) identify the nonconformity;
b) react to the nonconformity and, as applicable,
- take action to control and correct it, and
- deal with the consequences;
c) evaluate the need for action to eliminate the causes of the nonconformity, in order that it does not recur or occur elsewhere, by
- reviewing the nonconformity,
- determining the causes of the nonconformity, and
- determining if similar nonconformities exist, or could potentially occur;
d) implement any action needed;
e) review the effectiveness of any corrective action taken;
f) make changes to the event sustainability management system, if necessary;
g) recommend preventive action;
h) ensure, where appropriate, that suppliers contribute to conformity evaluation and to addressing nonconformity.
Corrective actions shall be appropriate to the effects of the nonconformities encountered.
The organization shall retain documented information as evidence of:
- the nature of the nonconformities and any subsequent actions taken; and
- the results of any corrective action.
The organization shall establish, maintain and implement procedures defining responsibility and authority for handling and investigating nonconformities, taking action to mitigate any impacts caused, and for initiating and completing corrective and preventive action.
REQUIREMENTS:
To meet the requirements of ISO 20121 you are recommended you have a procedure that outlines the authority, schedule and process for identifying and correcting non-conformity to the standard. This includes the documentation required, the implementation of procedures and processes, and awareness of requirements.
When looking at Operational Control, this may occur in real time during the execution of the event. When looking at other event lifecycle issues and aspects, identification of non-conformities and corrective action may occur during the planning of the event or during the post-event performance evaluation, internal audit or management review.
EDUCATION:
The review of effectiveness and efficiency of the event sustainability management system includes the identification, review and planning for corrective action of non-conformities. When looking at Operational Control, this may occur in real time during the execution of the event. When looking at other event lifecycle issues and aspects, identification of non-conformities and corrective action may occur during the planning of the event or during the post-event performance evaluation, internal audit or management review.
The review of effectiveness and efficiency of the event sustainability management system includes the identification, review and planning for corrective action of non-conformities.
Identification of non-conformities, of the existence of appropriate documentation and the implementation of procedures should be done through the internal audit process.
Identification of non-conformities of the requirements, including awareness by those doing work under the control of XYZ Organization along with the effective implementation of the processes outlined in the management system should be undertaken through ongoing monitoring of the management system.
Non-conformities should be documented, including who is responsible for the correcting the non-conformity, who will review action taken, and timetables for both.
Corrective action should be taken by designated person/department.
RELEVANT SEMS QUESTION:
REPORTING AND CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT/Management Review: Top management demonstrates its ongoing leadership and commitment to sustainability by performing effective management reviews, to ensure goals are met, issues of non-conformity addressed, and continual improvement is possible.
EXAMPLE OF EVIDENCE TEXT:
An example of acceptable evidence could include a statement such as:
The review of effectiveness and efficiency of the event sustainability management system includes the identification, review and planning for corrective action of non-conformities.
When looking at Operational Control, this may occur in real time during the execution of the event.
When looking at other event lifecycle issues and aspects, identification of non-conformities and corrective action may occur during the planning of the event or during the post-event performance evaluation, internal audit or management review.
SEMS SAMPLE DOCUMENTATION:
AUDITOR INSTRUCTIONS:
- Assess all relevant other documentation and evidence to ensure that non-conformities corrective action processes are in place, or if non-conformities occur which were not predicted, that learnings have been achieved and new processes established for future activity control.
- Review against requirements in the right hand box ‘OUTCOME’
AUDIT OUTCOMES:
- The organisation has a procedure in place which defines the responsibilities and authorities for handling and investigating non conformities.
- The organization has embedded systems into planning, operations and review to ensure that any non conformities with plans or reaching objectives are assessed and action able to be taken to correct these in future activities.
- Non conformities are identified.
- Corrective action or consequences have been dealt with appropriately.
- Causes are identified and action to eliminate in future is in place.
- Effectiveness of corrective action is reviewed.
- Preventative action is put in place.
- Management system altered if necessary.
- The nature of non conformities, action taken and results achieved are documented.