Corrective and preventative actions

Attention, you are using correction and corrective action interchangeably. That is not right.

Please check the definition of correction. Correction is an action to eliminate a non-conformity.

Please check the definition of corrective action. Corrective action is an action to eliminate the cause(s) of a non-conformity. Where you use preventative action, I use corrective action. No problem here, we are meaning the same.

Answering to your question the answer is a clear yes!

Correction and corrective action are two different sets of activities and as you say they normally take different time frames.

Please check the following information:

• ISO 9001 – Difference between correction and corrective action - https://advisera.com/9001academy/blog/2016/02/09/iso-9001-difference-between-correction-and-corrective-action/
• Check slide 17 in this free webinar on demand - Measurement, analysis, and improvement according to ISO 9001:2015 - https://advisera.com/9001academy/webinar/measurement-analysis-and-improvement-according-to-iso-9001-2015-free-webinar/
• Free online training ISO 9001:2015 Foundations Course – https://advisera.com/training/iso-9001-foundations-course/
• Book - Discover ISO 9001:2015 Through Practical Examples - https://advisera.com/books/discover-iso-9001-2015-through-practical-examples/

That is confusing. Simply, are preventative actions required to be taken on a non-conformity per ISO 9001 Standards?

All non-conformities require treatment, which means that all non-conformities require a correction.

Please check ISO 9001 clause 8.7 – you can read something like - “The organization shall take appropriate action based on the nature of the nonconformity and its effect on the conformity of products and services”. There is no mention of corrective or preventative actions.

Please check ISO 9001 clause 10.2.1 a) – when a non-conformity occurs organizations have to react to control, correct, and deal with the consequences.

Please check ISO 9001 clause 10.2.1 b) – you can read something like – “evaluate the need for action to eliminate the cause(s) of the nonconformity”. Evaluate the need means that organizations may decide to develop a corrective or preventative action after correcting a non-conformity or may decide otherwise.

So, preventative actions are not mandatory to be taken on a non-conformity per ISO 9001 Standards. Organizations should evaluate each case and even trends.