Certification Process
At ABS Global, we have developed a comprehensive certification process to guide organizations through the journey of achieving and maintaining certification. From initial application to maintaining certification, we ensure transparency, integrity, and efficiency throughout the process. Below is an overview of our certification process, broken down into sequential clauses:
1.1 Application: Submit your application for certification to ABS Global.
1.2 Application Review: Our team will review your application to ensure completeness and readiness for certification.
1.3 Audit Programme: Develop an audit program tailored to your organization’s size, complexity, and management system requirements.
1.4 Determining Audit Time: Determine the duration of the audit based on the scope of your management system and other relevant factors.
1.5 Multi-site Sampling: If applicable, conduct multi-site sampling to assess the effectiveness of your management system across different locations.
1.6 Multiple Management Systems Standards: If seeking certification for multiple management system standards, ensure alignment and integration of processes.
2.1 Determining Audit Objectives, Scope, and Criteria: Define the objectives, scope, and criteria of the audit in collaboration with your organization.
2.2 Audit Team Selection and Assignments: Select an audit team with the necessary expertise and assign roles and responsibilities.
2.3 Audit Plan: Develop a detailed audit plan outlining the schedule, activities, and resources required for the audit.
3.1 Initial Certification Audit: Conduct an initial certification audit to assess the conformity of your management system with the requirements of the relevant standard(s).
4.1 General: Conduct audits in accordance with the audit plan and applicable audit procedures.
4.2 Conducting the Opening Meeting: Begin the audit with an opening meeting to establish rapport, clarify objectives, and outline the audit process.
4.3 Communication During the Audit: Maintain open communication with auditees throughout the audit process, seeking clarification and providing feedback as necessary.
4.4 Obtaining and Verifying Information: Gather evidence to verify the effectiveness of your management system through interviews, documentation reviews, and observations.
4.5 Identifying and Recording Audit Findings: Document and record audit findings, including nonconformities and areas for improvement.
4.6 Preparing Audit Conclusions: Summarize audit findings and draw conclusions regarding the conformity of your management system.
4.7 Conducting the Closing Meeting: Conclude the audit with a closing meeting to discuss findings, address any concerns, and clarify next steps.
4.8 Audit Report: Prepare a comprehensive audit report detailing the audit findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
4.9 Cause Analysis of Nonconformities: Conduct a root cause analysis of identified nonconformities to determine underlying issues and develop corrective actions.
4.10 Effectiveness of Corrections and Corrective Actions: Verify the effectiveness of corrections and corrective actions implemented by your organization to address nonconformities.
5.1 General: Make a certification decision based on the audit findings, compliance with standard requirements, and effectiveness of corrective actions.
5.2 Actions Prior to Making a Decision: Ensure all necessary information and documentation are reviewed and considered prior to making a certification decision.
5.3 Information for Granting Initial Certification: Provide information and documentation required for granting initial certification to successful applicants.
5.4 Information for Granting Recertification: Provide information and documentation required for granting recertification to organizations seeking to maintain their certification.
6.1 General: Maintain your certification through ongoing surveillance activities, recertification audits, and other special audits as necessary.
6.2 Surveillance Activities: Conduct regular surveillance activities to monitor the ongoing effectiveness and compliance of your management system.
6.3 Recertification: Renew your certification through recertification audits conducted at regular intervals to ensure continued compliance with standard requirements.
6.4 Special Audits: Conduct special audits as needed to address specific concerns, changes in scope, or other circumstances affecting certification.
6.5 Suspending, Withdrawing, or Reducing the Scope of Certification: Take appropriate actions to suspend, withdraw, or reduce the scope of certification in cases of non-compliance or other significant issues.
Address any appeals related to certification decisions through a formal appeals process, ensuring fair and impartial resolution of disputes.
Handle complaints regarding the certification process or services provided by ABS Global promptly and effectively, seeking to address concerns and improve customer satisfaction.
Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all certification-related activities, including applications, audit reports, certification decisions, and client communications.
Certification Processes for Granting, Refusing, Maintaining, Renewing, Suspending, Restoring, and Withdrawing Certification
Application Submission: Clients submit an application for certification, including necessary documentation and information about their management system.
Initial Review: The certification body reviews the application to ensure completeness and determine eligibility.
Audit Planning: An audit plan is developed, and an audit team is assigned to conduct the initial assessment.
Initial Audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2): The audit is conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Documentation review and initial assessment.
Stage 2: On-site audit to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the management system.
Audit Report: The audit team prepares a detailed report, including findings, non-conformities, and recommendations.
Decision-Making: The certification body reviews the audit report and makes a certification decision based on the objective evidence provided.
Issuance of Certificate: If the decision is positive, a certificate is issued to the client, confirming their compliance with the relevant standard.
Application Review: The certification body reviews the application and initial audit findings.
Identification of Issues: Any issues or non-conformities that prevent certification are identified and documented.
Communication: The client is informed of the reasons for refusal, including detailed feedback on areas of non-compliance.
Opportunity for Correction: The client is given the opportunity to address the issues and resubmit for certification.
Final Decision: If the issues are not resolved, a formal refusal decision is made, and the client is notified.
Surveillance Audits: Regular surveillance audits are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with the certification standards.
Continuous Monitoring: The certification body monitors the client’s management system performance and addresses any identified issues.
Corrective Actions: Any non-conformities identified during surveillance audits are addressed through corrective actions.
Documentation Review: The certification body reviews and updates certification records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Client Communication: Regular communication with the client to provide updates and support for maintaining certification.
Application for Renewal: Clients apply for renewal of their certification before the expiration date.
Review of Performance: The certification body reviews the client’s performance history and any changes to their management system.
Re-Certification Audit: A re-certification audit is conducted to assess the continued effectiveness of the management system.
Audit Report: The audit team prepares a report detailing the findings and recommendations.
Decision-Making: The certification body reviews the audit report and makes a decision on renewing the certification.
Issuance of Renewed Certificate: If the decision is positive, a renewed certificate is issued to the client.
Identification of Issues: The certification body identifies issues or non-conformities that warrant suspension of certification.
Notification: The client is notified of the suspension decision and the reasons for it.
Corrective Actions: The client is required to address the issues and implement corrective actions within a specified timeframe.
Monitoring: The certification body monitors the client’s progress in addressing the issues.
Review of Corrective Actions: Once corrective actions are implemented, a review or follow-up audit is conducted.
Decision-Making: Based on the review, the certification body decides whether to lift the suspension or proceed with further actions.
Submission of Corrective Actions: The client submits evidence of corrective actions taken to address the issues that led to suspension.
Follow-Up Audit: A follow-up audit is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the corrective actions.
Audit Report: The audit team prepares a report detailing the findings and recommendations.
Decision-Making: The certification body reviews the audit report and decides whether to restore the certification.
Restoration of Certification: If the decision is positive, the certification is restored, and the client is notified.
Identification of Grounds for Withdrawal: The certification body identifies grounds for withdrawal, such as failure to address non-conformities or serious breaches of certification requirements.
Notification: The client is notified of the intention to withdraw certification and the reasons for it.
Opportunity for Response: The client is given an opportunity to respond and provide additional information or corrective actions.
Final Decision: The certification body reviews the client’s response and makes a final decision on withdrawal.
Notification of Withdrawal: If the decision is to withdraw, the client is formally notified, and the certification is withdrawn.
Updating Records: The certification body updates its records to reflect the withdrawal and communicates the decision to relevant stakeholders.
Contact Us to Begin Your Certification Journey
Ready to achieve certification for your organization? Contact ABS Global today to learn more about our certification process and how we can help you demonstrate excellence in your management systems.