Who is an Authorised Auditor (AA)?
An Authorised Auditor (AA) is a trained and certified professional in TAPA Security Standards such as FSR, TSR, GSR, and CSS. These individuals are authorized to conduct audits and assess compliance with TAPA’s security protocols, enabling organizations to achieve certification.
Types of Authorised Auditors in the TAPA Certification Framework
TAPA recognizes two primary categories of Authorised Auditors, each with specific roles and limitations:
Independent Audit Body Authorised Auditor (IAB AA)
- Affiliated with TAPA-Authorized Independent Audit Bodies (IABs) – Conducts impartial, third-party audits to assess compliance with TAPA Standards, ensuring credibility, transparency, and alignment with globally recognized best practices.
Qualified to certify any organization at any level of TAPA standards, including:
- FSR Levels A, B, and C
- TSR Levels 1, 2, and 3
- GSR and CSS
View Details of TAPA Authorised Independent Audit Bodies
Internal Authorised Auditor (In-house AA)
Employed by a Manufacturer and/or Logistics Service Provider (LSP).
To qualify as an Internal Authorised Auditor, an individual must complete official TAPA training for the relevant standards and pass the corresponding examination.
Responsible for supporting internal implementation and ongoing compliance with TAPA standards.
Collaborates with Independent Audit Bodies (IABs) when the organization seeks higher-level certifications, such as FSR Levels A and B or TSR Levels 1 and 2.
Authorised to conduct self-audits within their own organization to achieve certification for FSR Level C, TSR Level 3, and GSR.
Having a qualified Internal Authorised Auditor is essential for any organization, whether aiming for internal compliance, preparing for external IAB audits, or conducting permitted self-audits.