The purpose of the Stage 3 audit is to evaluate the implementation, including effectiveness of the client’s management system. The Stage 3 audit is to take place at the site(s) of the client and to also assess whether issues identified in the gap analysis audit have been identified. The Stage 3 audit is to include the following:

• Information and evidence about conformity to all requirements of the applicable management system standard or other normative document
• Performance monitoring, measuring, reporting and reviewing against key performance objectives and targets (consistent with the expectations in the applicable management system standard or other normative document)
• The client’s management system and performance as regards legal compliance
• Operational control of the client’s processes
• Internal auditing and management review
• Management responsibility for the client’s policies
• Links between normative requirements, performance objectives and targets (consistent with the expectations in the applicable management system standard or other normative document), any applicable legal requirements, responsibilities, competence of personnel, operations, procedures, performance data, and internal audit findings and conclusions.

At the end of the Stage 3 audit, the audit team analyzes all information and audit evidence gathered during the certification process and agrees on audit conclusions. At the successful conclusion of the certification process, Obsequentia provides clients with a certificate that endorses the client’s management system compliance against a standard.