What is the primary goal of a quality audit?

The primary goal of a quality audit is to ensure compliance with quality activities and procedures. This involves systematically examining various processes, practices, and systems within an organization to verify that they meet established quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Quality audits serve as a tool for organizations to assess their adherence to internal policies as well as external standards. By performing these audits, an organization can identify areas of non-conformance or weaknesses in processes, which can then be addressed to improve the overall quality management system.

Through regular quality audits, organizations can also promote continuous improvement by using the findings to implement changes, train personnel, and enhance overall quality performance. This systematic scrutiny reinforces a culture of quality and accountability within the organization, ensuring that all activities align with the organization's quality objectives.

In contrast, the other options focus on financial reporting, productivity evaluation, and cost reduction, which, while important in their own right, do not capture the essence of what a quality audit aims to achieve.