External Auditor of the Quality Management System (AQAP 2110, AQAP 2131, ISO 19011, ISO 17021, ISO 9001, SIC Rules)

The External Auditor of the Quality Management System course covers essential international and defense-specific standards required for auditing organizations involved in production, development, and final acceptance of defense-related products and services:

AQAP 2110: NATO quality assurance requirements for design, development, production, and servicing of defense products. Includes risk management, configuration control, traceability, and supplier oversight.

AQAP 2131: NATO requirements for final inspection and product testing. Defines acceptance procedures by the customer’s authorized representative.

ISO 19011: Guidelines for auditing management systems. Covers audit principles, auditor competence, and audit program management.

ISO 17021: Requirements for bodies performing audits and certification of management systems. Ensures auditor impartiality, objectivity, and technical competence.

ISO 9001: Core QMS standard defining requirements for processes, documentation, monitoring, management review, and continual improvement.

SIC Rules: Internal rules governing auditor conduct, audit methodology, ethical standards, and registration in the international SIC registry.

Course program

Duration

63 hours

Language

English/Ukrainian

Format

100% online

Objectives

The goal of the “External Auditor of Quality Management Systems” course is to provide participants with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills necessary for conducting external audits of quality management systems in accordance with the requirements of NATO standards (AQAP 2110, AQAP 2131), international regulations ISO 19011, ISO 17021, ISO 9001, and SIC internal regulations.

Main Objectives of the Course:

  • Understanding AQAP and ISO Standards: Develop a systematic understanding of the structure, terminology, and requirements of documents regulating audits in the defense and civilian sectors.
  • Mastering Audit Methodology: Learn how to plan, conduct, document, and report on the results of external audits in accordance with ISO 19011 and ISO 17021.
  • Assessing Enterprise Compliance: Provide tools for analyzing and evaluating the level of organizations’ compliance with AQAP 2110 and 2131 requirements.
  • Preparation for Work in Certification Bodies: Equip participants with the necessary competence to participate in quality management system certification work according to international norms.
  • Ensuring Impartiality and Ethics: Study the requirements for independence, confidentiality, and prevention of conflicts of interest in accordance with SIC Rules.
  • Assignment of EA Codes: Familiarization with the industry identification system for auditors to enable participation in industry-specific audits.

Target audience

Target Audience for the Course “Quality Management System Auditor (AQAP 2110/2131, ISO 19011, ISO 17021, SIC)” includes:

  • Quality managers and specialists who need to deepen their knowledge of audit processes and international standards.
  • Internal auditors looking to expand their qualifications to conduct external audits and work with defense-related standards.
  • Personnel of certification bodies involved in auditing and certifying quality management systems.
  • Consultants specializing in quality management systems and seeking to enhance their expertise in AQAP and ISO standards.
  • Representatives of enterprises and organizations that work with NATO or are seeking to implement or maintain quality management systems in accordance with international and defense-specific requirements.
  • Anyone interested in a career in quality assurance and auditing, particularly in the defense or highly regulated industries.

Document on completion

Certificate of external QMS auditor, entered in the International SIC Register

Thematic plan

The course program includes 3 modules:

  1. Quality Management Systems ISO 9001.
  2. NATO Requirements for Quality Assurance in Design, Development, Production and Final Inspection AQAP 2110 + AQAP 2131.
  3. Audit Procedure ISO 19011, ISO/IEC 17021, SIC Rules.

The program is designed for 63 hours, including time for studying theoretical material and passing testing.

Objectives

Auditor for the certification of quality management systems for design, development, production and final inspection in accordance with the requirements of AQAP 2110 and AQAP 2131
    Hours
І module Quality managemet systems ISO 9001 18
1 Introduction to the QMS 3
2 Context of the organization as a fundamental basis of the QMS 2
3 Leadership and Policy development in the sphere of quality 2
4 Risk-based planning of the QMS 2
5 Resources and documentation of the QMS 2
6 Operational activities and processes of the QMS 4
7 Evaluation and analysis of the effectiveness of the QMS 1
8 Corrective actions and improvements to the QMS 1
Testing 1
ІІ module NATO quality assurance requirements for design, development and production AQAP 2110 + AQAP 2131 13
1 AQAP 2110 and its relation to ISO 9001 0,5
2 Key terms and roles in AQAP 2110 0,5
3 Access to production 0,5
4 Quality representative 0,5
5 Risk management 0,5
6 Infrastructure and monitoring resources 0,5
7 Competence, awareness, and access to information 0,5
8 Operational planning and control 0,5
9 Quality plan as a requirement of AQAP 2110 2,5
10 Configuration management and DDP (Design and Development Process) 1
11 Customer communication 0,5
12 Product requirements, design, and reliability 0,5
13 Production, identification, and traceability 0,5
14 Product release and handling of nonconformities 0,5
15 Final product inspection (AQAP 2131) 1
16 Complaint management from GQAR and Customer, Root Cause Analysis (RCA) 0,5
17 Internal audit 0,5
18 Management review 0,5
Testing 1
ІІІ module The procedure for conducting external audits ISO 19011, ISO/IEC 17021, SIC Rules 32
1 SIC — an international association of certification bodies 1
2 Audit: objectives and criteria 2
3 Classification of audits and related standards 2
4 Terms and definitions 1
5 Audit principles and their practical implementation 4
6 Attestation procedure, requirements for auditors 4
7 Pre-certification measures and sampling application 4
8 Audit planning 2
9 Primary certification: I and II stages of the audit 2
10 Audit conducting 2
11 Certification decision 2
12 Support: supervisory and special audits, recertification 1
13 Suspension, cancellation, reduction of certification scope 1
14 Appeals and claims 1
Testing 1
Case-reviews 2
Hours total 63