Converting a Standard Clause to a Checklist Item
A checklist item stating that “document control is in place” might appear to make sense, yet it provides the auditor with minimal information to audit against. What constitutes being in…
StandardHaven
Normative and Informative Content: A Beginner-Friendly Distinction
Normative content is content that supports requirements for compliance. It could be a requirement in the main body of a standard, a normative reference or a normative annex. What is…
Shall, Should, May, and Can: What These Words Signal in Standards
What “shall,” “should,” “may” and “can” mean in a standard: “The record shall be retained” and “the record should be retained” seem very similar, but do not mean the same…
How to Read the Scope of a Standard Before Studying Its Requirements
The best way to start when learning how to read a standard is to read the scope before reading the requirements. Often we open up a standard at the first…