# Closing Meeting and Follow-Up

## Closing meeting agenda (15-30 minutes)

1. Thank the auditees; restate scope, criteria and that the audit is a sample.
2. Strengths (specific).
3. Each finding: requirement, evidence, statement, grade. Confirm the facts are agreed.
4. Diverging opinions: record both positions if not resolved.
5. Next steps: report date, response deadline, how responses are submitted and verified.
6. Questions.

## Response expected from the auditee

| Item | Due (typical internal audit) |
|------|------------------------------|
| Containment / correction | Immediately, within days for product risk |
| Root cause and corrective action plan | 30 days |
| Implementation | Per plan, normally within 90 days |
| Effectiveness evidence | After enough time to show the problem has not recurred |

## Verifying and closing findings

| Grade | Verification |
|-------|--------------|
| Major | Evidence review and usually a follow-up visit; close only when effectiveness is shown |
| Minor | Evidence review; confirm at the next audit |
| OFI | Not tracked as a nonconformity; note any action taken |

Reject responses where the root cause is "human error" or "operator not trained" without asking why the system
allowed it, and where the action only repeats the correction. Record the closure decision, date and verifier.

## Feeding the programme

- Findings by process and clause go to management review (9.3.2 c).
- Processes with majors or repeated minors get an extra audit in the programme.
- Auditor performance (report quality, timeliness, auditee feedback) feeds auditor evaluation.