ACCREDITATION

Having a certified management system can be used as a competitive sales and marketing tool. It is increasingly becoming a requirement of contract or procurement. But what is accredited certification and how does the certification process work?


What is accreditation?

Accreditation verifies the certification body/registrar competence. To fulfill the accreditation criteria, an accrediting authority assesses the certification body/registrar. This is to verify that the certification body/registrar complies with requirements. It is the authorities way of auditing the auditors

What is third party accredited certification?

Accredited certification of management systems is used to demonstrate compliance to a standard. Third party certification bodies/registrars are auditing organizations that provide auditing services to companies that wish to obtain certification to specific standards.

How do I become certified by RoyalCert?

Your management system is always subject to change. A successful management system is one that is improved on a continual basis. However, if not maintained it is possible that a management system will become obsolete or ineffective. Therefore, accredited certification consists the primary (or initial) certification and maintenance of the certificate thereafter. It requires a two stage certification process.

Stage 1
Initial visit

For an initial visit, we send a lead auditor to review your manual/management system description, check procedures, tour your facilities and briefly check the implementation of your management system. In essence, this is a preliminary audit intended to uncover areas in your management system that might need special attention. During the initial visit the scope and audit program is agreed.

Documentation review

A review of the documentation is required either during the initial visit or separately (off-site) prior to the certification audit. Our lead auditor evaluates your management system manual. The documentation review report summarizes any findings from this process. The report indicates if your organization is ready to proceed with the certification audit.

Stage 2
Certification audit

During the certification audit, we conduct informal interviews, evaluation and observations of the system in operation. It provides us with essential information required for the certification process and assesses the degree of compliance of your company's management system with the requirements of the standard. When found compliant, we issue the certificate.

Periodic audits

Each issued certificate has a three-year validity. Upon certification, we will create a periodic audit schedule for regular audits over the three-year period. These audits confirm your company's on-going compliance with specified requirements of the standard. At least one periodic audit per year is required.