ISO 9001:2015 does not define detailed audit role terminology itself, but it explicitly refers to ISO 19011 for audit guidance. This makes ISO 19011 authoritative for defining audit roles and responsibilities within ISO 9001 audits.
ISO 9001:2015, Clause 9.2.2 – NOTE:
“See ISO 19011 for guidance.”
Therefore, the correctness of the statements is determined using ISO 19011 (Auditing management systems) principles, which are fully applicable to second-party audits .
✅ B. An auditor is a person who conducts an audit
✔ Correct
This definition applies equally to first-, second-, and third-party audits.
This statement is universally correct and fully aligned with ISO auditing terminology.
✅ F. When needed, a translator appointed by the auditee
✔ Correct
Translators are typically appointed by the auditee , not the audit team.
Translators are not members of the audit team and do not influence audit conclusions.
This is a valid and correct statement for second-party audits.
❌ Why the other options are incorrect
❌ A. Guide appointed by the audit team leader
In ISO 19011, a guide is appointed by the auditee , not by the audit team leader.
The guide assists with logistics and access, not audit execution.
❌ Incorrect appointment authority.
❌ C. The audit team cannot include auditors-in-training
❌ Incorrect restriction.
❌ D. Observer provides information about the organisation
Observers may attend (e.g. regulators, accreditation bodies) but remain passive.
❌ Incorrect role description.
❌ E. A technical expert is part of the audit team
A technical expert supports the audit team , but is not considered an auditor .
❌ The statement is misleading and therefore incorrect.
