How does DNV assess the competence of its auditors?

DNV assesses the competence of its auditors primarily through the combination of regular training and re-certification. This approach ensures that auditors maintain up-to-date knowledge regarding the standards and methodologies relevant to their auditing practices. Regular training helps them stay current with industry developments, regulatory changes, and enhancements in auditing techniques. The re-certification process reinforces the necessary competencies and ensures that auditors are evaluated periodically, thus maintaining a high standard of quality and reliability in their assessments. This continual improvement framework is essential for ensuring the effectiveness and credibility of the auditing process within DNV's operations.

Other assessment methods like customer feedback or examinations could offer useful information about an auditor's performance or knowledge. However, they do not provide the systematic and structured competence validation that regular training and re-certification do. Relying solely on completion of certification without ongoing evaluation would not ensure that auditors keep their skills sharp and reflect changes in the compliance landscape.