Procedure
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▷ Certification Process
- Inquiry: Overview of the certification audit process.
- Proposal: After reviewing the standards, scope, and employee count, ACQ will provide a proposal outlining audit days and costs.
- Certification Guide Dispatch: Prospective clients are informed about the certification process and requirements through the Certification Guide.
- Certification Application and Contract: Upon receiving the application, a contract agreement is signed. Both parties review and align on the contract terms and client requirements.
- Audit Plan and Team Formation: An audit planner assembles the audit team per the “Audit Team Composition” guidelines, based on the scope, schedule, and auditor qualifications.
- Audit:
- Stage 1 Audit: Evaluates the client’s management system documentation.
- Stage 2 Audit: Assesses the implementation and effectiveness of the client’s management system, conducted on-site.
- ACQ will provide a copy of each audit report to the client.
- Verification: ACQ reviews audit reports and communicates decisions or comments on certification eligibility in writing.
- Surveillance Audit: The first surveillance audit is conducted within 12 months of the Stage 2 audit. ACQ provides a copy of each surveillance report to the client.
- Re-certification Audit: Conducted every three years, ensuring it occurs within the certification’s validity period.
▷ Suspension, Withdrawal, Scope Adjustment, and Application Refusal
1. Suspension, Withdrawal, or Scope Reduction
Withdrawal:
An organization wishing to withdraw must inform ACQ’s management department in writing. It must discontinue all references to the certification in its advertising materials within a reasonable timeframe.Suspension:
Certification may be suspended under the following conditions:- Persistent or serious failure to meet certification requirements, including management system effectiveness.
- Failure to allow surveillance or recertification audits within required timelines.
- Voluntary request by the organization for suspension.
- Non-conformities not addressed within the specified timeframe.
- Misleading use of certification status, marks, or audit reports.
- Breach of the certification contract.
Suspended organizations must resolve issues within the suspension period. Failure to comply may lead to withdrawal of certification. Organizations may appeal suspension or withdrawal decisions.
Scope Reduction:
If issues leading to suspension are unresolved within the specified timeframe, ACQ may reduce the certification scope. Scope reduction is applied when the certified client consistently fails to meet requirements for specific parts of the certification.
2. Expanding or Reducing the Scope of Certification
Scope Reduction:
ACQ may reduce the certification scope to exclude non-compliant areas. Such changes align with the applicable certification standards.Scope Expansion:
Upon receiving an application for scope expansion, ACQ reviews the request and determines the required audit activities. The process ensures compliance with relevant certification standards.
3. Refusal of Certification Application
ACQ reviews all certification applications. If an application is declined, the reasons are documented and clearly communicated to the applicant.