Which of the following statements captures the essence of the internal audit's role?

The internal audit's primary role is to assess the effectiveness of the quality management system and ensure that it is functioning correctly within the organization's processes. By doing so, internal audits help to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall performance of the management system. The essence of the internal audit, therefore, lies in its ability to raise awareness of management system issues among employees and management alike. This awareness is crucial for fostering a culture of continuous improvement and for ensuring that everyone understands the importance of their roles in maintaining quality standards.

Raising awareness also promotes accountability and encourages employees to actively participate in the management system, ultimately leading to better alignment of the organization's objectives with its operational processes. This proactive approach to identification and resolution of issues underpins the effectiveness of a quality management system, in line with the principles of ISO 9001.