Application for Certification

Information about the applicant organisation is gathered through client information for certification (CIC). Details such as scope of certification, man power, statutory & regulatory requirements, processes not applicable, processes and product information are critical inputs for certification process

Application Review

The submitted CIC is reviewed to ensure the adequacy of the information for submitting the proposal and subsequent provision of certification services. The ability and competence to perform the certification is decided by EICPL considering its accreditation scope. EICPL shall submit the proposal for certification services for initial assessment and 2 surveillance audits for the 3 years period along with certification agreement and conditions for certification.

Proposal & Agreement

Commercial proposal is submitted to client providing information on number of audit Man days required for each stage of audit process and associated professional charges. Upon acceptance of terms and condition stated in the proposal and condition for certification, a certification agreement is signed with the Client.

Initial Certification Assessment

Initial certification Assessment is conducted to evaluate the implemented management system and assess the maturity of the system to issue Certificate of Compliance. Initial assessment is conducted in two stages as per the requirement of ISO 17021-I. Stage I Audit: Conducted to assess the management system planning, validate the information provided in the client information for certification, required logistics and planning for Stage II assessment Stage II Audit: Verify compliance of the management systems to the planned arrangements and decide on the recommendation for certification based on assessment output.

Assessment report shall be provided to client along with audit observations, if any. Client is responsible to plan for adequate corrective actions for audit observations along with revision to system documents, if required. Client shall communicate the corrective actions to EICPL prior to stage II assessment. Output of stage I assessment and nature of observations may have impact on the stage II assessment schedule. Inadequate and ineffective corrective actions for stage I assessment may lead to major non-conformances in during stage II assessment.

Stage II audit

Stage II audit is conducted to evaluate effective implementation of the Management System. Inform audit team nomination and audit programme in advance. Conduct opening meeting to explain audit methodology. Verify effective implementation of the management System for adequacy to the scope of certification by examining personnel, policies, procedure and records on sample basis against the contractual standard. Stage II audit is carried our as per the checklist. Record Non-conformance and classify as major or minor. Conduct closing meeting and explain audit findings, recommendations and revision to scope of certifications if required. Provide copy of audit report with recommendations. Review the suitability of surveillance frequency and/or man days based on the audit findings. Review corrective actions provided by client for all the non-conformance reports by follow up audit or documentation verification.

Review Assessment Report and Issue of Certificate of Compliance

Review of audit reports by EICPL certification decision committee. Impartiality shall be maintained during such reviews. Resolutions of clarifications in the audit reports if any prior to approval of recommendations.

Issue certificate of compliance valid for 3 years from the date of approval by certification decision committee.

Issue instructions on the use of quality marks and accreditation mark

Surveillance Audit

Conduct surveillance audit at agreed frequency to assess continued implementation of Management System to meet the planned arrangements. Verify use of Quality mark and accreditation mark as per EICPL instructions. Provide recommendations on continuation of certification.

Re-certification

Audit Conduct re-certification audit prior to certification period for continuation of certificate of compliance and subsequently followed up by Surveillance audits as per the accepted proposal. Re-certification audit shall be completed before the validity of the previous certificate of compliance.