The recertification process this year was unusual since it had to be conducted following pandemic safety guidelines. “Under normal circumstances, the audit would be conducted face-to-face on-site over a four-day period,” said Keller. “Because of COVID-19, everything had to be done in a teleconference format.”
Keller says that despite the virtual nature of the audit, it was no less comprehensive than certification in more normal times. “I was able to send our auditor all the documentation required, and we reviewed them just as we would in person,” he said. “We have mini-audits every year, so the process is very familiar to us.”
Thanks to modern technology, even the shop floor audit wasn’t a problem. “I walked around the shop with my phone, showing samples of documentation and conducting interviews with employees,” Keller said. “Even though it was virtual, no aspect of the audit was overlooked. It still took four days and was every bit as stringent as other years.