Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Autorisierung / Español: Autorización / Português: Autorização / Français: Autorisation / Italiano: Autorizzazione

Authorization in the quality management context refers to the formal approval granted to individuals, processes, or systems, allowing them to perform specific actions or access certain resources within an organization. This concept is integral to ensuring that only qualified personnel or systems can make decisions or carry out tasks that affect the quality of products or services. Authorization is a fundamental aspect of quality management systems (QMS), as it helps in maintaining control, ensuring compliance with standards, and protecting the integrity of processes and data.

Description

In quality management, authorization serves as a mechanism to ensure that operations and decisions are made by individuals with the appropriate qualifications, training, and experience. It is closely linked to the principles of accountability and responsibility, establishing clear boundaries and expectations for roles within an organization. Authorization processes are often formalized through policies, procedures, and documented standards, which can include certifications, permissions, and access controls to physical and digital resources.

The importance of authorization within quality management is underscored in various quality standards and frameworks, such as ISO 9001, which emphasizes the need for defining and communicating roles, responsibilities, and authorities within an organization. These measures are crucial for ensuring that quality objectives are achieved and that continuous improvement processes are effectively implemented.

Application Areas

Authorization processes are applicable in numerous aspects of quality management, including:

• Document Control: Ensuring that only authorized personnel can create, modify, or approve quality-related documents.
• Process Management: Authorizing individuals to oversee or execute critical processes, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
• Change Management: Granting approval for changes to processes, products, or systems that may affect quality.
• Access Control: Limiting access to information and operational systems to authorized users to protect data integrity and prevent unauthorized changes.

Well-Known Examples

A well-known example of authorization in quality management is the requirement in the pharmaceutical industry for batch release. Only qualified individuals, such as a Quality Assurance (QA) manager or a Qualified Person (QP), are authorized to release pharmaceutical batches for sale, ensuring compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) and regulatory requirements.

Treatment and Risks

Effective management of authorization involves establishing clear criteria and procedures for granting, reviewing, and revoking authorizations. It requires ongoing training and competency assessment to ensure that individuals understand their roles and responsibilities. The risks associated with inadequate authorization include non-compliance with quality and regulatory standards, increased errors or defects in products, and unauthorized access to sensitive information, all of which can have significant implications for product quality and safety.

Similar Terms or Synonyms

• Permissions
• Approval
• Empowerment

Weblinks

• top500.de: 'Authorization' in the glossary of the top500.de
• travel-glossary.com: 'Authorization' in the travel-glossary.com
• maritime-glossary.com: 'Authorization' in the maritime-glossary.com

Summary

Authorization is a critical component of quality management systems, ensuring that only qualified and approved personnel or systems can perform certain tasks or access specific resources. By effectively managing authorization, organizations can maintain high levels of control and integrity in their processes, comply with regulatory requirements, and achieve their quality objectives.

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