Understanding the ISO9001 Certification Process
ExVeritas follows International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO Technical Committee 176, or the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) guidance and procedures.
These documents are available here.
The steps and processes for issue are shown below. For ISO Take Over, New Application and Scope Change, all details are recorded on the application form in the CMS system.
For voluntary (on request) or forced suspension or withdrawal of certification, please refer to our standard terms and out use of accreditation marks.
Description of Activity
Review of manufacturer’s documents
Related Documents
ISO9001:2015
By Whom
ExVeritas Staff
Notes/Comments
Relevant manufacturer’s quality system documentation is to be reviewed to verify that documentation continues to comply with the requirements of ISO9001:2015.
Where serious deficiencies in the manufacturer’s documented quality plans may give rise to non-complying product being produced, these shall be raised by the factory auditor as major non-conformances and the applicant and manufacturer required to take action to correct this situation (usually by the introduction or amendment of quality plans), prior to proceeding with the issue of an ISO9001:2015 Certificate
Where noncompliance is judged to be of a minor nature by the factory auditor, the process of on-site auditing may continue.
Description of Activity
The factory auditor conducts on-site audit.
Related Documents
ISO9001:2015
By Whom
ExVeritas Auditor
Notes/Comments
This on-site audit shall seek to verify that relevant quality system procedures and work instructions are in place and that there are records and evidence to demonstrate that the requirements of ISO9001:2015 are being met by the customer(s).
An Audit Report of the assessment/audit of the manufacture’s quality system, including site audit, shall be compiled by the factory auditor.
Accreditation Forum (IAF) are followed for audits and interpretations and are issued to all auditors
Description of Activity
Where non-compliance or deficiencies are found
Related Documents
By Whom
ExVeritas Auditor
Certification Liaison Officer
Notes/Comments
Where serious deficiencies in the manufacturer’s documented quality plans or system may give rise to non-complying product being produced, these shall be raised by the factory auditor as major non-conformances and the applicant and manufacturer required to take action to correct this. A re-audit may be required to check the implementation of the corrective actions.
Where noncompliance are judged to be of a minor nature by the factory auditor, then the clearance action scan be dealt with remotely and the auditor also has the option to confirm compliance at the next audit.
Description of Activity
An independent review of the Factory Audit Report shall be conducted by the Certification Body.
Related Documents
ExVeritas company procedures
By Whom
Certification Manager or Deputy(s)
Notes/Comments
Normally this review would be conducted by the Certification Manager or Deputy(s)
Where discrepancies are identified they shall be immediately raised within the Factory Auditor and a further review will be conducted by the certification body to confirm all details remain relevant.
The applicant may need to be informed where errors or discrepancies are of a major nature, eg incorrect audit personnel conducting the audit or insufficient audit depth revealed.
Description of Activity
Review corrective actions.
Related Documents
ExVeritas company procedures
By Whom
Auditor & Certification Manager or Deputy(s)
Notes/Comments
The Factory Auditor shall review proposed corrective actions relating to Non Conformance Reports (NCRs) in terms of
- The time to implement such action is appropriate
- Whether a follow up audit is necessary or can verification be handled at the next scheduled surveillance audit
It should be noted that where Major NCRs are raised consideration must be given to the likelihood of non complying product being released to the market.
The Certification Manager will need to determine whether the ISO9001 Certification needs to be suspended or cancelled. Given the seriousness of the situation, prompt action by ExVeritas is required.
Description of Activity
Prepare for next audit
Related Documents
ExVeritas company procedures
By Whom
Certification Manager or Deputy(s)
Notes/Comments
Where ExVeritas is satisfied that a full and complete surveillance assessment/audit has been completed demonstrating compliance with the requirements of ISO9001
Description of Activity
Certificate Issue
Related Documents
By Whom
Certification Manager or Deputy(s)
Notes/Comments
Certificate decision will be taken (with clarifications from IAF guidance documents as applicable). Certificates will be drafted and only issued to customers when:
- No outstanding non-compliances
- Next audit date agreed.
- Issued on CMS (Current) after CB review
- When accompanied by terms and use of logo
- When accounts are in order.
A quality audit feedback will be sent with all certificates and will be collected by ExVeritas Administration and reviewed by the CB Reviewer for the project for changes/feedback and auditor evaluation.
When applying for certification through ExVeritas you will be required to complete an application form (refer to the certification process) and on submitting the application form you will be agreeing contractually to ExVeritas Standard Terms and Conditions should you accept our quotation for work.
All applications are reviewed and may be declined if we feel there is a conflict of interest or if the work request is outside of our accreditation scope (where accredited work is request). In such cases the client will be informed in writing of the reasons we have not quoted.
Where we do provide a quote for work, Our Quotations will also be issued subject to our terms, and this will be stated on the Quotation.
Certificates will be issued subject to our terms for certification and use of marks, this will be stated on the certificate.
- Our Standard Terms and Conditions can be found here
- Terms for use of our Certification mark are here
- Further details on our accrediting including our current UKAS scope can be found here
If you have any questions regarding our terms please contact us and for complains and appeals regarding our terms, please refer here