QP Program Audit Procedure Clarification: Corrective Actions and Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Requirements

All QP Certification Programs (QP1, QP2, QP3, QP5, QP6, and QP8), in which an Auditor observes and documents four or more Corrective Actions (audit ratings of 2), will require the audited entity to submit a written corrective action plan (CAP), within 90 days of notification of audit results, to the SSPC Certification Manager for review and acceptance.

Failure to submit an acceptable CAP could result in a delay in re-issuance of certification, or possible suspension of certification, by the Certification Manager, if agreement on an acceptable CAP cannot be reached in a reasonable time frame.  Corrective Action findings can be converted to deficiencies (audit ratings of 0 or 1), if subsequent audits reveal that the CAP has not been satisfactorily implemented.

A Corrective Action finding is defined as a minor omission, incomplete item, or failure to comply with an element of a company procedure, project specification, standard operating procedure, or regulation.  A deficiency is defined as a major omission or failure to comply with a company procedure, project specification, standard operating procedure, or regulation.

Click here for more information on SSPC QP program audits and submittals, or contact:

Norm Suzich
Certification Manager
Toll-Free: 1-877-281-7772 x235 (from inside the US)
Phone: 1-412-281-2331 x235 (from outside the US)
Fax: 1-412-281-9993
Email: suzich@sspc.org