Scenario 10: CircuitLinking is a company specializing in water purification solutions, designing and manufacturing efficient filtration and treatment systems for both residential and commercial applications. Over the past two years, the company has actively implemented an integrated management system (IMS) that aligns with both ISO/IEC 27001 for information security and ISO 9001 for quality management. Recently, the company has applied for a combined audit to achieve certification against both ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 9001.

In preparation, CircuitLinking ensured a clear understanding of ISO/IEC 27001, identified subject-matter experts, allocated resources, and gathered documentation to provide evidence of effective procedures. After passing Stage 1 (focused on verifying the design), Stage 2 was conducted to examine implementation and effectiveness. An auditor with a potential conflict of interest was replaced at the company’s request. The audit process continued, and the company was awarded certification.

During a later recertification audit, significant changes to the management system triggered a Stage 1 assessment to evaluate the impact.

Based on the scenario above, answer the following question:

During the Stage 1 audit, the auditor assessed the design of CircuitLinking's management system. Is this approach recommended?