Certification Process
About the Certification Process
To achieve certification, the client is required to successfully complete an Initial Certification Audit (Stage 1 and Stage 2 Audit). To ensure certification is maintained, annual Surveillance Audits are required (minimum two Surveillance Audits per three year certification cycle). The new certification cycle will begin with a Recertification Audit, which must be conducted prior to the expiry of the current certification certificate.
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Enquiring to achieve certification is a straightforward process. You can contact us directly, and we will discuss your needs, obtain details regarding you certification requirements, and provide you with a Certification Proposal for your consideration. Give us a call or complete the enquiry form using the following link.
Types of Audits
S1
Stage 1 Audit
The Stage 1 Audit reviews the management system documentation against the relevant Standard(s), ensuring the correct scope of certification is known so that an appropriately experienced audit team can be allocated and assess readiness for the Stage 2 Audit.
S2
Stage 2 Audit
The Stage 2 Audit reviews the entire management system, verifying compliance with the relevant Standard(s). The focus it to ensure the documented management system is effectively implemented throughout the Company to enable certification to be recommended.
SA
Surveillance Audit
The Surveillance Audit verifies ongoing compliance applicable Standard(s) and the Company’s management system documentation. Upon successful completion of the Initial Certification Audit, the first Surveillance Audit must be conducted within 12 months of the completed Stage 2 Audit.
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CA
Recertification Audit
The Recertification Audit replaces the annual Surveillance Audit and must be conducted prior to the expiry of the current certificate. The audit team will review the Company's processes to ensure compliance with the applicable Standard(s), the management system documentation and its implementation throughout the Company. If compliance is verified, recertification can be recommend.
FA
Follow Up Audit
Follow Up Audits are normally undertaken to verify Major Non-Conformances have been satisfactorily addressed for certification to be recommended or continued.
These Audits only review the specific areas relating to the Major Non-conformance(s) raised and verify the action taken has adequately addressed the root cause of the non-conformance.
SP
Special Audit
Special Audits may be required when there is a change to the scope of certification that is significant to the organisation or the certification. These may occur out of the normal cycle of the scheduled audit program.
A change to the scope of certification includes an additional location, major change to the scope of a product or provision of a service.