Stage 1 Auditing

Stage 1 audits are about documentation and are normally performed in a meeting room. The main purpose is to evaluate the design of the management system against the standard, stage 2 audits are performed at the places where people do their jobs and are much more practical, much more about whether the employees are complying with everything that is written in the documentation. This is achieved by means of interviewing the employees, examining the relevant documents, records, forms and guidelines and also by visiting relevant areas of the organization. 

So, normally, during stage 1 audits auditors will not check quality control records although they might want to check management review records.

The following material will provide you more information about certification audits:

- How to prepare your company for the ISO 9001 certification audit - https://advisera.com/9001academy/03/how-to-prepare-your-company-for-the-iso-9001-certification-audit/
- free online training ISO 9001:2015 Foundations Course – https://advisera.com/training/iso-9001-foundations-course/
- book – Preparing for ISO Certification Audit: A Plain English Guide - https://advisera.com/books/preparing-for-iso-certification-audit-plain-english-guide/