Remaining certified entails not only following the processes and procedures that were established, but it also requires maintaining the integrity of the management system when changes occur. Updating your management system is part of the continual improvement principle all standards promote, therefore you have to handle them appropriately to remain in compliance.

While these responsibilities can be shared by everyone in the organization, duties related to updating of documentation, such as procedures and work instructions, are often relinquished to an employee with Document Control responsibilities. After years of experience, Mireaux strongly promotes a centralized Document Control function, as best practice. In fact Internal and External Audit results, often show Document Control as the main source of findings, which can easily be prevented with good Document Control preparation.

Therefore, while a Document Control person is not absolutely a requirement, we strongly recommend an employee or a team (depending on the size of your company) be appointed the responsibilities of maintaining control over documents updates, documents releases, etc.