Define "Annually"

We are having an argument here on what defines "annually" concerning recall practices and crisis management simulations, the following are the replies we have:

1- within a period of 12 months + or - 1 month.

2- as per the calendar (could be anywhere between 2 months (Dec'12 - Jan'13) and 24 months (Jan'12 - Dec'13)

3- as per a company fiscal yearly report - every 12 months (no more, no less)

As an auditor, I would define "yealy or annually" as being within a period of 12 months + or - 1 month.

Your input or references would be appreciated.

Many Thanks

DenisB

Hi Denis - Annually is used a lot - Recurring or  done, or performed every year without missing a year - a year is 12 months or 365 days (ok 366 regularly shows up every 4th year) +/- 1 month is a bit broad as 13 months is more than a year and if you performed something on the 13 month that you stated you would annually, you would be working on the next year and missed the previous year - Doesn't have to be calendar or fiscal however they can be used to define your annual period

Tony Z

I would say annually as every 12 months, which means that if you have a mock recall done in June 2012 and it must be done annually, you could have it done anytime between June 2012 and June 2013, after June 2013 ii would be consider out of date, it all depends then on the limits applied.

Every year or 12 months. Example:

If management review meeting conducted May 15 2012, and I audited you on May 16 2013, I would expect to see the 2013 MR already conducted  or at the very least MR scheduled before end of May 2013 (you would just about get away with this if you provided evidence e.g. minutes in your report to me - maybe I would make it an observation rather than a NC).  If not scheduled in at all it would be an NC, but with the same evidence required.

Cheers,

Simon

Hello all,

I agree with Simon. The principle is in the Schedule. It must be every year, but if the interval is linger than 12 months, there must be a justification.

k

Hello DenisB:

My auditor also informed that annually or yearly is ≤ 12 months.

Yong

Our current auditor FIRMLY believes that an expiration date is exactly that..THE expiration date.  If your cert runs out on May 15,2013, then you should have your next evaluation completed by that date.  There is only - 1 month...no + 1 month in the tolerance.

It would be useful to get the insights of an auditor or two.