Improvement actions comprise corrections and corrective actions, which are based on the results of client’s analysis of the root cause of system deficiencies identified during an external audit. These deficiencies may be identified too by the client outside audit occasions, i.e. on a day-to-day monitoring, measurement, analysis and evaluation by responsible persons at different processes.

Nonconformity reports at different types of CIP's external audits are required to be addressed by process owners concerned with adequate or suitable improvement actions. Submission dates for these improvement actions are agreed upon at closing meetings and are written in audit reports.

Delays in client's submissions lead to reminder notices from CIP. Upon their submission, these improvement action reports are evaluated. If the action plans are not suitable nor insufficient, these reports are not accepted by CIP and returned to the client with a request for further review and revision. Supporting documents are requested for action plans.

If “minor” nonconformities are addressed adequately, CIP auditors approve the corresponding improvement actions and, if necessary, earmarking them for verification during a subsequent surveillance or recertification audit for their actual and effective implementation.

The improvement actions intended for “major” nonconformities are subject to follow up on-site audits by CIP within 90 days of the audits at which the nonconformity reports were raised.

Upon confirmation by the CIP follow-up auditor of the adequacy of improvement actions, based on his analysis and evaluation of submitted supporting documents/records and on-site evidences, nonconformity reports are closed. Results of these follow-up audits are recorded and reported to the client.

Should there be a failure on the part of the certification applicant to act on two or more “major” nonconformities within the agreed 90-day period, Stage 2 shall be repeated. Meantime, no certification decision is made until succeeding or further audits produce satisfactory results. The absence of Stage 2 leads to the failure of the audit and CIP notifies the client about it formally. Relevant details of this situation are recorded. Contract review records are updated with relevant arrangements for repeat audits, if requested by the client concerned.

In the course of surveillance audits, any further follow-up audits, necessitated by unsatisfactory or inadequate results of preceding follow-ups, are reported to the client. Further arrangements towards the closure of nonconformity reports are agreed with CIP. Follow-up audits done on-site usually result in additional billings to the client.