Version 3.2 extension of Updated Circular (30 August 2021): Guidance on Remote Audits due to Covid-19 Pandemic Restrictions

This Version 3.2 supersedes the Version 3.1 Updated Circular (31st May 2021) Guidance on Remote Audits due to Covid-19 Pandemic Restrictions.

MPOCC would like to urge all the Accredited (ACB) & Non-Accredited (CB) Certification Bodies to adhere the National Security Council announcement of the National Recovery Plan (NRP)- Phase 1 – Phase 4.

NRP (PHASE 1)

a) All MSPO 2530 Series & Supply Chain on-site audits are not allowed. The ACBs & CBs must conduct audits remotely.

NRP (PHASE 2)

a) All MSPO 2530 Series & Supply Chain on-site audits are only allowed within the same districts of the ACBs & CBs.

b) The ACBs & CBs must conduct audits remotely for those clients that are in different districts/states.

NRP (PHASE 3)

a) All MSPO 2530 Series & Supply Chain on-site audits are allowed to cross districts, however, crossing state borders are not allowed.

b) The ACBs & CBs must conduct audits remotely for those clients that are in different states.

NRP (PHASE 4)

All MSPO 2530 Series & Supply Chain on-site MSPO audits are only allowed on the NRP Phase 4, as per the details below:

a) 50% capacity meeting room space and following strict SOPs.

b) Crossing-state borders and districts must adhere to the conditions and SOP set by the Government.

All Accredited Certification Bodies (ACBs) and non-Accredited Certification Bodies (CBs) shall establish an internal standard operating procedure (SOP) for remote auditing with a risk assessment to address certification activities during this Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, both Accredited Certification Bodies (ACBs) and non-Accredited Certification Bodies (CBs) shall formulate/develop/revise their SOP based on the National Security Council’s updated National Recovery Plan (NRP) by phases SOP. These SOP shall be available for inspection by STANDARDS MALAYSIA (DSM) during accreditation assessments and when requested by MPOCC.

The remote audit shall be guided by ICT Tools as per IAF MD4:2018 and ISO 9001 Auditing Practices Group on Remote Audits 2020. This shall be applied for initial, surveillance and recertification audits.

This version 3.2 circular shall apply throughout the different phases of the MCO period imposed by the Malaysian Government starting 1st Sept 2021 and shall refer to the requirements in the Version 3.0 Circular dated 22 March 2021 during the NRP period.