Authority to approve documents

Answer:

ISO 9001:2015 does not mandates that top management signs all SOPs. That depends on the rules of your own system created by your own organization.

Whoever approves and signs a document has to have his/her authority transmitted by top management. For example, in my work as consultant I advise the creation of a List of Internal Documents that lists all internal documents and identifies who has authority to approve each one. Top management signs that list and in that way, signals who has authority to approve a particular document.

The following material will provide you information about document control

- ISO 9001 – Some Tips to make Document Control more useful for your QMS - https://advisera.com/9001academy/blog/2014/05/20/tips-make-document-control-useful-qms/
- Procedure for Document and Record Control - https://advisera.com/9001academy/documentation/procedure-document-record-control/
- free online training ISO 9001:2015 Foundations Course – https://advisera.com/training/iso-9001-foundations-course/
- book - Managing ISO Documentation: A Plain English Guide - https://advisera.com/books/managing-iso-documentation-plain-english-guide/