Conditions of Certification

Certification is provided under a legally enforceable agreement between CAS and the client. These conditions summarise the principal terms of that agreement. They apply from the moment certification activities begin and continue for as long as the client is certified (and, for some obligations, afterwards). By proceeding with certification, the client accepts these conditions.

Where these conditions and the signed agreement differ, the signed agreement prevails; where the applicable standard or accreditation rules impose stricter requirements, those prevail.

• To operate impartially, confidentially and competently, in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021-1 and the applicable scheme and accreditation rules.
• To plan and conduct audits by competent, impartial personnel, and to make certification decisions through persons not involved in the audit.
• To issue, maintain and (where due) renew certification on the basis of objective evidence of conformity.
• To give the client the rules for using certificates and marks, and the means to verify certification.
• To handle complaints and appeals fairly, and to provide the client reasonable notice of changes to certification requirements.

The client undertakes, on a continuing basis, to:

• fulfil the certification requirements, including implementing appropriate changes when they are communicated by CAS;
• make all necessary arrangements for the conduct of the audits — including examination of documentation, access to all processes, areas, records and personnel, and access for observers (for example accreditation-body assessors) where required;
• make claims regarding certification consistent with the scope of certification;
• not use its certification in a way that brings CAS into disrepute, and not make any misleading statement about its certification;
• on suspension or withdrawal, discontinue use of all advertising matter that contains a reference to the certification, and return any certification documents requested by CAS;
• use certification only to indicate that the management system is certified to the specified standard, and comply with the requirements of CAS when making reference to its certification and when using marks; and
• comply with the requirements that may be prescribed by the certification scheme relating to the use of marks on, and information related to, the product or service.

The client must inform CAS, without delay, of matters that may affect the capability of the management system to continue to fulfil the certification requirements. These include changes to: legal, commercial, organisational status or ownership; organisation and management (for example key managerial, decision-making or technical staff); contact address and sites; scope of operations under the certified management system; and major changes to the management system and processes.

Certification fees are set out in the costed scheme of work and the agreement, and cover the certification activities carried out (review, audits, decision, issuance, surveillance and recertification). Fees are payable regardless of the certification outcome, since they pay for the assessment work, not for a particular result. Continuation of certification may depend on fees being up to date.

Failure to meet these conditions may lead to suspension, reduction of scope, or withdrawal of certification under our Certification Rules. A client affected by a decision may appeal it, and may also raise a complaint.

CAS maintains records of the certification activities as required by the standard and accreditation rules. Responsibilities, liabilities and the limits of CAS’s undertaking are defined in the signed agreement. Nothing in these conditions transfers to CAS the client’s own responsibility for conforming to the standard or to applicable legal and regulatory requirements — that responsibility remains with the client.