Re-Certification
Recertification audit planning
Operational manager is responsible for planning and intimating or interacting with certified client for the recertification activity. A recertification audit is planned and conducted to evaluate the continued fulfilment all of the requirements of the relevant management system standard or other normative document. The purpose of the recertification audit is to confirm the continued conformity and effectiveness of the management system as a whole and its continued relevance and applicability for the scope of certification.
The recertification audit considers the performance of the management system over the period of certification, and include the previous surveillance audit reports.
Recertification audit activities may need to have a stage 1 audit in situations where there have been significant changes to the management system, the client, or the context in which the management system is operating. (e.g. change in legislation) in the case of multiple sites or certification to multiple management system standards being provided by the confidence in the certification.
Re – Certification audit has to be planned from 10 months of the date of surveillance 2 due audit. The re-certification audit is conducted in such a manner that any non – compliance reported during the re – Certification audit of the applicant organisation must be resolved before the expiry of the certificate or from 4 weeks from the date re-certification audit.
Re – certification audit is executed in such a manner to ensure the continuity of the certificate of registration issued to the applicant organisation
In case , re-certification audit is not conducted before expiry date of certificate, stage 1 has to be conducted again with stage 2.
Recertification audit
The recertification audit includes an on-site audit that addresses the following:
- The effectiveness of the management system in its entirely in the light of internal and external changes and its continued relevance and applicability to the scope of certification;
- Demonstrated commitment to maintain the effectiveness and improvement of the management system in order to enhance overall performance.
- Whether the operation of the certified management system contributes to the achievement of the organizations policy and objectives.
When during a recertification audit, instances of nonconformity or lack of evidence of conformity are identified; the certification body has defined time limits of two weeks after the assessment audit, for correction and corrective actions to be implemented. The client has to submit the evidence of corrective actions to the BQSR head office for closure of the NCR.
Information for granting recertification
The BQSR makes decision on renewing certification based on the result of the recertification audit, as well as the result of the review of the system over the period of certification and complaints received from users of certification. New certificate is issued with the re-certification date of three years from the date of decision of recertification and expiry date of 1 year.
Recertification audit plan BQSR/CERT/F21
Recertification audit report BQSR/CERT/F22
Special Audits
4.5.1 Extension of scope
The BQSR , in response to an application for extension to the scope of a certification already granted, undertake a review of the application and determine any audit activities necessary to decide whether or not the extension may be granted. This may be conducted in conjunction with a surveillance audit.
Short-notice audits
It may be necessary for the BQSR to conduct audits of certified clients at short notice to investigate complaints, or in response to changes, or as follow up on suspended clients. In such cases;
- The BQSR describes and informs in advance to the certified clients the conditions under which these short notice visits are to be conducted, and
- The BQSR exercises additional care in the assignment of the audit team because of the lack of opportunity for the client to object to audit team members.