Certification Process

Our certification process is designed to ensure that management system certification decisions are objective, consistent, and based on sufficient and verifiable audit evidence, in accordance with applicable international standards and accreditation requirements.

Certification activities are conducted independently, impartially, and without influence from commercial, financial, or other pressures.

1. Application and Contract Review

Organizations seeking certification submit an application providing information regarding their management system, scope of certification, activities, locations, and applicable standards.

We conduct a contract review to ensure that:

The scope of certification is clearly defined and understood.
We have the competence and resources to perform the certification activities.
Any identified risks to impartiality are evaluated and addressed.

Certification activities commence only after the contract review has been completed and accepted.

2. Stage 1 Audit

The Stage 1 audit is conducted to:

Review the organization’s management system documentation.
Evaluate readiness for the Stage 2 audit.
Identify key processes, risks, and regulatory requirements.
Confirm the scope of certification.

The outcome of the Stage 1 audit is documented and communicated to the organization, including any areas requiring attention prior to Stage 2.

3. Stage 2 Audit

The Stage 2 audit evaluates the effective implementation and performance of the management system against the applicable standard.

This audit includes:

On-site assessment of processes and controls.
Interviews with relevant personnel.
Evaluation of compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
Collection of objective audit evidence.

Any nonconformities identified are documented and communicated to the organization for corrective action.

4. Certification Decision

Certification decisions are made independently of the audit team and are based on:

Audit findings and objective evidence.
Review of corrective actions for identified nonconformities.
Confirmation that certification requirements have been fulfilled.

Only authorized personnel, who have not been involved in the audit, participate in certification decision-making to ensure impartiality.

5. Surveillance Audits

Following certification, surveillance audits are conducted at planned intervals to verify ongoing conformity and effectiveness of the management system.

Surveillance activities focus on:

Continued compliance with certification requirements.
Effectiveness of corrective actions.
Changes to the organization, scope, or management system.

6. Recertification

Prior to the expiration of the certification cycle, a recertification audit is conducted to confirm the continued suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the management system.

Successful completion of the recertification process results in renewal of certification.

7. Suspension, Withdrawal, or Reduction of Scope

Certification may be suspended, withdrawn, or reduced in scope when:

Certification requirements are no longer met.
Serious nonconformities are not adequately addressed.
Misuse of certification or certification marks occurs.

Decisions regarding suspension or withdrawal are made in accordance with documented procedures and communicated formally to the organization.

Impartiality and Confidentiality

All certification activities are conducted in accordance with our impartiality principles and confidentiality obligations. Information obtained during certification activities is treated as confidential and used solely for certification purposes, unless otherwise required by law or accreditation requirements.