Pass or fail audit

Answer:
First you must consider nonconformities and its classification of major and minor.

Normally, any minor nonconformities found in an audit will need to be addressed within a certain timeline, but the certification can be granted when the corrective action plan is received, and the audit team will follow up at the next surveillance audit by the certification body. Major nonconformities might mean that your certification will not be granted until the corrective action is in place and the certification body auditors come and verify that it is effective. But I agree with you, there is some subjectivity from certification body to certification body.

The following material will provide you more information:
- How to deal with nonconformities in an ISO 9001 certification audit - https://advisera.com/9001academy/blog/2015/06/09/how-to-deal-with-nonconformities-in-an-iso-9001-certification-audit/
- Major vs. minor nonconformities in the certification audit - https://advisera.com/27001academy/blog/2014/06/02/major-vs-minor-nonconformities-in-the-certification-audit/
- free online training ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor Course
– https://advisera.com/training/iso-9001-lead-auditor-course/
- book - ISO Internal Audit: A Plain English Guide - https://advisera.com/books/iso-internal-audit-plain-english-guide/