Condition for Certification

Holding certification from International Assessment Bureau carries a number of ongoing obligations. These conditions apply for as long as a certificate remains valid, and acceptance of certification is acceptance of these conditions.

• Maintain the certified management system so that it continues to meet the requirements of the applicable standard at all times, not only during audits.
• Notify International Assessment Bureau promptly of any significant changes that could affect the management system or the certified scope — for example a change of legal entity, ownership, site, scope of activity, or key personnel.
• Allow surveillance and recertification audits to be carried out as scheduled, and provide access to the records, personnel and sites needed to carry them out.
• Cooperate with the investigation of any complaint relating to the certified management system.
• Use the certificate and certification mark only in accordance with our Use of Logo requirements, and only for the standard and scope actually certified.
• Never use the certificate or mark in a way that could be misleading, including implying that a product, process or service (rather than the management system) is certified.
• Make any corrections and take any corrective action required to address nonconformities identified during an audit, within the agreed timeframe.
• Keep fees and administrative obligations up to date in line with the agreed terms of service.

Where these conditions are not met, certification may be suspended or withdrawn. Where certification is suspended, withdrawn or reduced in scope, the organisation must immediately stop using the certificate and mark for the affected scope, as set out in our Appeal and Complaints procedure, which also explains how a decision can be challenged.