You check a recent nonconformity report (number NC 45), which was raised by the Laboratory Manager. It states, The waste bins that must be emptied on a daily basis had not been emptied the previous night by the cleaning subcontractor. You ask how important is it that this is done and the Quality Manager states It is critical to the operation of the laboratory. Failure to empty the bins causes delays, which result in customer complaints. You sample further and find this same problem has occurred four times within the previous six months. Each time a nonconformity report was raised by the laboratory (numbers NC 27, 28, 35 and 38). Documented information (records) show that each time the nonconformity was raised, the subcontractor apologised and explained that they had to use temporary staff at short notice. Documented information (records) also shows that the auditee organisation responded only by asking the subcontractor to ensure that their employees, whether temporary or full-time, were made fully aware of the tasks they are contractually obliged to carry out.

For correctly identifying the scenario as a nonconformity (2 marks) Description of the nonconformity (Max 3 marks):

Relevant evidence (Max 3 Marks):

ISO 9001:2015 clause and requirement: