Internal Quality Audit, Step by Step

The internal quality audit is one of the most powerful tools for ensuring a factory's processes meet established regulatory, contractual, and quality requirements. Unlike an external or certification audit, an internal audit is carried out within the organization itself, with the goal of identifying deviations, preventing non-conformities, and fostering continuous improvement.

In sectors regulated by international standards such as ISO 9001 (quality management), ISO 14001 (environmental management), ISO 22000 (food safety), or sector-specific standards like IFS and BRCGS, an internal audit isn't optional — it's a fundamental requirement that prepares the company to pass any official assessment.

In this article, we'll look at what an internal audit is, the benefits it brings, the steps to carry it out correctly, practical examples by standard, and how digital tools like Solved make it easier to run.

What Is an Internal Quality Audit

An internal quality audit is a systematic, independent review of an organization's processes, carried out by its own or designated staff, to determine whether they meet the established criteria.

These criteria can include:

• International standards (ISO, IFS, BRC).
  
• The organization's internal procedures.
  
• Legal or contractual requirements.
  

The goal isn't to penalize, but to identify opportunities for improvement and make sure management systems are working effectively.

Why Internal Audits Matter

Internal audits are a company's first line of defense against quality problems, legal non-compliance, or operational failures. Their benefits include:

• Regulatory compliance: they demonstrate conformity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, IFS, and BRC.
  
• External audit readiness: they catch potential non-conformities early and reduce the risk of penalties or certification suspension.
  
• Continuous improvement: they help spot inefficiencies and propose corrective actions.
  
• Customer and supplier confidence: the company demonstrates control over its processes and its ability to respond.
  
• Cost reduction: catching problems early is cheaper than fixing them after a crisis or a product rejection.
  

A well-executed internal quality audit strengthens the quality culture within the organization.

Types of Internal Audits

Not all internal audits are the same. Depending on their focus, you'll find:

• Process audits: focus on how activities are carried out (production, maintenance, logistics).
  
• Product audits: review the characteristics and results of manufactured products.
  
• System audits: assess the entire quality management system against a standard.
  
• Thematic audits: focused on a specific aspect, such as food safety, the environment, or occupational risk prevention.
  

Each type of internal audit meets a different need, but all of them are part of the continuous-improvement cycle.

Steps to Run an Internal Quality Audit, Step by Step

For an internal quality audit to be effective, it needs to follow a structured process. Below is a step-by-step guide that applies to any organization.

1. Audit Planning

• Define the scope: which processes, areas, or standards to audit.
  
• Set a schedule: dates, duration, assigned auditors.
  
• Communicate the plan to everyone involved to avoid surprises and pushback.
  

2. Auditor Preparation

• Review documentation: manuals, procedures, previous records.
  
• Build a checklist tailored to the applicable standard (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, IFS, or BRC).
  
• Have a thorough understanding of the audit's objectives.
  

3. Opening Meeting

• Present the audit's objective to area managers.
  
• Explain the methodology and answer questions.
  
• Set a collaborative tone, not a punitive one.
  

4. Carrying Out the Audit

• Interview staff.
  
• Observe processes in action.
  
• Review records and documentary evidence.
  
• Identify non-conformities, observations, and improvement opportunities.
  

5. Recording Findings

• Document each finding clearly: what was found, in which area, which standard or procedure it violates, and the associated evidence.
  
• Classify it: major non-conformity, minor non-conformity, or observation.
  

6. Closing Meeting

• Present the findings to the audited team.
  
• Make sure the issues found are understood.
  
• Explain next steps and deadlines for corrective actions.
  

7. Audit Report

• Summarize findings, evidence, and conclusions.
  
• Include improvement recommendations.
  
• Deliver it to management and process owners.
  

8. Corrective Action Plan

• Define owners, deadlines, and concrete measures to fix non-conformities.
  
• Track progress until each action is closed.
  

This cycle ensures the internal audit doesn't stay a formal exercise, but actually drives real change in the organization.

Practical Examples by Standard

Internal Audit Under ISO 9001

Focused on verifying that processes meet the quality management system's requirements. Example: reviewing equipment calibration records.

Internal Audit Under ISO 14001

Focuses on environmental compliance. Example: verifying hazardous waste management and its documentation.

Internal Audit Under ISO 22000

Focuses on food safety and HACCP plan compliance. Example: checking temperature control records in cold storage rooms.

Internal Audit Under IFS

Requires traceability of raw materials and finished products. Example: tracing a batch from the supplier all the way to the end customer.

Internal Audit Under BRCGS

Requires backward and forward traceability tests. Example: proving which farm supplied the fruit and which supermarkets each batch of juice ended up in.

Each standard has its own particularities, but the internal audit method is common across them and should be adapted to each one's specific requirements.

Common Challenges in Internal Audits

Running an internal quality audit can come up against obstacles such as:

• Staff resistance out of fear of penalties.
  
• Incomplete records or records scattered across different systems.
  
• Lack of training for internal auditors.
  
• Limited time and resources to audit every area.
  

These challenges can be overcome with a strong quality culture, proper planning, and tools that simplify logging and traceability.

How Solved Supports Internal Audits

The Solved platform offers features that make every phase of the internal quality audit easier:

• Customizable digital checklists for each standard.
  
• Digital evidence logging (photos, videos, documents).
  
• Automatic assignment of corrective actions to owners.
  
• Real-time dashboards to monitor the status of audits and non-conformities.
  
• Integration with ERP, MES, and CMMS, avoiding duplication and lost information.
  

With Solved, factories have cut the time spent preparing for audits by up to 65%, freeing up more focus for continuous improvement.

Conclusion

An internal quality audit shouldn't be seen as a formality, but as a strategic opportunity to improve processes, ensure compliance, and strengthen organizational culture. By following a structured, step-by-step process aligned with standards like ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, IFS, and BRCGS, factories don't just prepare for external audits — they also improve their efficiency and competitiveness.

Digitization is key to making these audits fast, reliable, and useful. Tools like Solved let the process stop being an administrative burden and become an engine of continuous improvement.

Want to simplify your next internal quality audit and ensure compliance with ISO, IFS, and BRC standards? Request a demo of Solved and discover how to digitize your audit management.