IRCA news
IRCA announces ISMS requirements
The IRCA information security management systems (ISMS) auditor programme is undergoing a major revision and will be based on the new ISO 27001:2005, Information technology - security techniques - information security management systems - requirements, replacing BS 7799-2:2002 as the reference standard for this programme.
This important change will require certificated ISMS auditors to demonstrate that they have updated themselves with the standard and that they understand the implications of these changes in the context of their ISMS auditing activities.
All IRCA certificated ISMS auditors will need to complete four hours of continuing professional development (CPD) focused on ISO 27001:2005 before completing any acceptable audits to the standard. This CPD and auditor’s completed audits will be reviewed during the normal tri-annual renewal of certification. Auditors must include details of their relevant CPD in the CPD log that they submit as part of this process, and clearly note which standard each audit was conducted against in their audit log.
For more information about transition requirements click here.
IRCA announces food safety transition requirements
The IRCA food safety auditor programme has undergone a major revision and is now based on the new ISO 22000:2005, Food safety management systems – Requirements throughout the food chain, replacing ISO 9001 and ISO 15161:2001 as the reference standard for this programme.
This important change will require certificated food safety management systems (FSMS) auditors to demonstrate that they have updated themselves with the standard and that they understand the implications of these changes in the context of their FSMS auditing activities.
All IRCA certificated FSMS auditors will need to complete four hours of continuing professional development (CPD) focused on ISO 22000:2005 before completing any acceptable audits to the standard. This CPD and auditor’s completed audits will be reviewed during the normal tri-annual renewal of certification. Auditors must include details of their relevant CPD in the CPD log that they submit as part of this process, and clearly note which standard each audit was conducted against in their audit log.
For more information about FSMS transition requirements click here.
OEA open forum 2006
IRCA held its first organizations employing auditors (OEA) annual meeting for IRCA approved OEA auditors in December 2005 in London, which was attended by a number of OEAs within the UK. The day included presentations and discussions on the past, present and future of IRCA certification. Robert Skelton-Stroud, IRCA certification manager, said:‘This was the first such forum and proved to be useful both for us and the OEAs, especially as it provided a chance for us all to meet in person. We look forward to these being regular events.’
For more information about the benefits of the IRCA OEA programme for certification bodies and other organizations that employ auditors please see IRCA/181 or visit the IRCA website or contact Robert at rskelton-stroud@irca.org
Training organization open forum 2006
IRCA held its regular meeting for IRCA-approved training organization in December 2005 in London, which was attended by 50 people from auditor training organizations from all over the world. These events provide a useful forum for IRCA’s 90 training organizations to share information and good practice and to communicate directly with IRCA. The day included discussions on a number of themes, including accelerated learning. In 2004 IRCA revised its training course criteria to require more effective learning methods to be employed in auditor training and during the open forum training organizations shared good practice in terms of course design and delivery.
IRCA training and business manager, Vincent Desmond, noted that: ‘The feedback from organizations that have moved away from dull lecture to dynamic task-based learning is very encouraging. Student feedback indicates that they are learning much more and learning it much more comprehensively and this is reflected in examination results.’
For information on becoming an IRCA training organization visit www.irca.org/auditortrain/auditortrain_2.html
IRCA welcomes new OEA
Platinum Registration
Platinum Registration has become the first US member of IRCA’s OEA programme. Platinum Registration commented: ‘Auditors represent us to our clients, and we use IRCA registered auditors because they represent the precision and professionalism required to satisfy our customers. We are pleased to be joining the IRCA’s OEA programme, and welcome enquiries from auditors interested in learning more about us, and the benefits of our OEA programme membership.’