Auditor flagged something we literally fixed 6 months ago

So our external audit just wrapped and we got a nonconformance for a procedure gap that we closed out after last year’s surveillance visit. I have the evidence, the corrective action sign-off, everything.

Auditor basically shrugged and said it still counted because it wasn’t ‘verified effectively’ - whatever that means.

I’ve disputed findings before but always informally, just back-and-forth with the lead auditor. Is there an actual formal escalation path through the CB for something like this? Feels ridiculous to take a hit on our report for something we demonstrably addressed.