Clients Submit Application for Initial Certifications

1. Exchange of information between client and SQC: This stage involves communication between the client seeking certification and the certification body (SQC). The client provides the necessary information and documents regarding their readiness for certification.
2. Review of Application for Certification: Your application will be reviewed by us to check that it meets our certification requirements and identify any preliminary concerns.
3. Identification of Areas of Concern and Request for Additional Information (if Applicable): If any discrepancies or missing information are identified in the application, SQC may request further details or clarification from the client.
4. Development of Audit Program: SQC develops a comprehensive audit program tailored to the client’s operations and certification requirements.
5. Proposal for Certification and Confirmation of Audit Program: SQC provides a certification proposal, including audit scope, timeline, and costs, for client approval.
6. Clients and SQC Signed Contract for Initial Certification: Both parties finalize the agreement by signing a contract to begin the authentication process.

Initial Certification Planning/Conducting Audits

1. Select and Appoint Competent Stage-1 Team: SQC, Phase-1 is entrusted to a qualified audit team who conducts there work with utmost responsibility.
2. Planning for Stage-01: The SQC is responsible for all planning details for the audit, including outlining the objectives, scope, and timeline for the audit activities.
3. Conduct Stage-01: The stage-1 audit is carried out as per the planned schedule, focusing on evaluating the client’s management system documentation and processes.
4. Resolve Stage-1 Areas of Concern (if Applicable): Any identified issues or concerns during the stage-1 audit are addressed and resolved in collaboration with the client.
5. Confirm/Appoint Competent Stage-2 Team: After successful completion of stage-1, SQC confirms or appoints a competent team for the more detailed stage-2 audit.
6. Plan for Stage-2: Detailed planning is done for the stage-2 audit, which involves on-site assessment of the client’s operations and processes.
7. Conduct Stage-2: The stage-2 audit is conducted, focusing on verifying the implementation and effectiveness of the client’s management system.
8. Resolve Stage-2 Areas of Concern (if Applicable): Any issues or concerns identified during the stage-2 audit are addressed and resolved collaboratively.
9. Initial Certification Audit Conclusions: Based on the findings of both stage-1 and stage-2 audits, conclusions regarding the client’s readiness for certification are drawn.

Initial Certification Decision

Granting of Initial Certification and Issuance of Certification Documents: Upon successful completion, the certification is granted, and certification documents are issued to the client.

Surveillance Audits are to be Conducted at Least Once per Calendar Year

1. Recertification Audit Planning: Planning begins for the recertification audit, which is conducted periodically to ensure the continued compliance of the client’s management system with certification standards.
2. Plan for Surveillance Audit: The surveillance audit plan is developed, outlining the scope and objectives of the audit activities to be conducted within the surveillance period.
3. Conduct Surveillance Audit: The surveillance audit is carried out as per the planned schedule, focusing on assessing the ongoing conformity of the client’s management system.
4. Resolve Surveillance Audit Areas of Concern (if Applicable): Any issues or concerns identified during the surveillance audit are addressed and resolved in collaboration with the client.
5. Surveillance Audit Conclusions: Based on the findings of the surveillance audit, conclusions regarding the client’s continued compliance with certification standards are drawn.
6. Independent Review of Certification (if Required): In some cases, an independent review of the certification process may be conducted to ensure impartiality and adherence to certification requirements.

Re-Certification Audit

1. Exchange of Information Between Client and Certification Body, Determine if Change to Audit Program Required: SQC communicates with the client to exchange relevant information and assess whether any changes to the audit program are necessary for the recertification process.
2. Confirm Audit Program and Communication to Client: The audit program for the recertification process is confirmed, and the details are communicated to the client.
3. Confirm Appoint a Competent Audit Team: SQC confirms or appoints a competent audit team to conduct the recertification audit.
4. Plan for Recertification Audit: Detailed planning is done for the recertification audit, outlining the objectives, scope, and timeline for the audit activities.
5. Conduct Recertification Audit: The recertification audit is conducted as per the planned schedule, focusing on verifying the continued compliance of the client’s management system.
6. Resolve Recertification Audit Areas of Concern (if Applicable): Any issues or concerns identified during the recertification audit are addressed and resolved collaboratively.
7. Recertification Audit Conclusions: Based on the findings of the recertification audit, conclusions regarding the client’s continued eligibility for certification are drawn.
8. Recertification Decision: If the client meets all the recertification requirements, SQC grants the recertification and issues the relevant certification documents.