What to do with old records of ISO 9000

hello friends

recently we finished the certification audit and it was successful, we got registered iso9001:2000,
the issue i would like to know is that once we finish the certification audit are we to keep the old records earlier to the certification audit or are they suppose to be kept along with the new documents which will be used for the future audits, please let me know somebody.
thanks
cmfugen

hello friends

recently we finished the certification audit and it was successful, we got registered iso9001:2000,
the issue i would like to know is that once we finish the certification audit are we to keep the old records earlier to the certification audit or are they suppose to be kept along with the new documents which will be used for the future audits, please let me know somebody.
thanks
cmfugen

Quality Records are important because they help to demonstrate your system is operating effectively (or not). And can also help you to identify improvements within your system.

In the ISO 9001 Standard there is a section about management of Quality Records, but it’s such a long time since I've read it that I cannot say exactly what the requirements are.

I think ISO 9001 requires (and I’m sure it says in the standard) that certain records must be maintained without question. You may also need to keep specific records for customer or legal reasons.

Most people tend to build a matrix of quality records stating what the record is, how long it is kept for, where it is kept and how it is eventually to be disposed of. You may need to keep some records longer than others depending on the risk of not keeping them. It’s basically another risk assessment.

I think you might need to get yourself a bigger filing cabinet.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Simon

Hello cmfugen,

In general you could do with 3 / 5 / 10 years.
Product related docs should be kept for at least the lifetime of the product.
For product construction, change of ingredients, audit docs etc. 10 years.
Lesser important docs like a form that is put on a pallet during production 3 years.
The same applies for computer records, and remember to keep the software to open them.
And check your legal obligations, they vary from country to country.

Have a nice day, Okido

Hello cmfugen,

In general you could do with 3 / 5 / 10 years.
Product related docs should be kept for at least the lifetime of the product.
For product construction, change of ingredients, audit docs etc. 10 years.
Lesser important docs like a form that is put on a pallet during production 3 years.
The same applies for computer records, and remember to keep the software to open them.
And check your legal obligations, they vary from country to country.

Have a nice day, Okido

I agree that product related documents should be kept for the lifetime of the product and then a bit more. I tried not to be specific about time because it's very personal and requires a document by document risk assessment based on the requirements of all possible stakeholders.

Happy Friday!

Regards,
Simon