What is the main purpose of an internal audit?

The primary objective of an internal audit is to assess the effectiveness and compliance of the Quality Management System (QMS) with established requirements, including those outlined in ISO 9001. This process involves systematically examining the processes, policies, and procedures in place to ensure they align with the standards and objectives set by the organization and external regulations.

By conducting internal audits, an organization can identify areas of non-compliance, opportunities for improvement, and ensure that the QMS is functioning as intended. This helps in maintaining a focus on continual improvement, which is a core principle of ISO 9001.

In contrast, conducting employee performance evaluations, initiating disciplinary actions, or directly assessing customer satisfaction levels are not the primary focus of internal audits. These activities may be components of larger performance management or customer feedback systems, but they do not directly evaluate the compliance or effectiveness of the QMS itself. Thus, the choice highlighting compliance with QMS requirements accurately reflects the main purpose of an internal audit.