What is the key action required when nonconformities are discovered during an internal audit?

The key action required when nonconformities are discovered during an internal audit is to initiate corrective actions. This response aligns with the principles outlined in ISO 9001, which emphasizes the importance of addressing nonconformities to maintain and improve the effectiveness of the Quality Management System (QMS).

When nonconformities are identified, it is essential to not only document them but also to analyze their root causes and implement corrective actions to rectify the issue and prevent recurrence. This proactive approach helps organizations ensure compliance with quality standards and continually enhance their processes. Simply documenting the nonconformities without taking further action would not resolve the underlying issues, and failing to act could potentially lead to more significant problems or quality failures in the future. Similarly, notifying external agencies is not typically necessary unless it involves compliance issues or regulatory requirements, which is a separate consideration from managing internal quality processes. Thus, initiating corrective actions is the appropriate and most effective response for nonconformities identified during an internal audit.