Certification Process

  • 1. Inquiry / Application: Upon receipt of an inquiry, either verbal or written, the certification administrator will send an application/questionnaire forms to the client.
  • 2. Application Review and Contract: Upon receipt of the signed application / questionnaire, QAC will review the documents and provide a proposal and agreement to the client.
  • 3. Notification of Audit plan: After the audit certification agreement/contract has been completed, QAC will notify the client of the audit plan and the members of the audit team. At this time, audit plan is discussed between QAC and the client.
  • 4. Pre-assessment [Option]: The purpose of the pre-audit is to give an opportunity to the client to improve their system prior to the actual audit. At the client's request, a pre-assessment will be conducted.
  • 5. Stage 1 audit: The Stage 1 audit is conducted to confirm conformity of the management system according to the applied standard and to prepare the Stage 2 audit. This audit includes a complete review of the management system documents and key items to ensure the client is prepared for the Stage 2 audit.
  • 6. Stage 2 audit: Stage 2 audit is conducted to confirm that the management system of the organization actually meets the all requirements of the appropriate standard. If the system meets the requirement of standard by objective evidence, it is recommended for certification.
  • 7. Corrective action of non-conformity: If non-conformities are found during the initial Stage 1 audit, those non-conformities must be corrected prior to the Stage 2 audit. For non-conformities found during the Stage 2 audit, they must be corrected before a certificate will be issued.
  • 8. Certification Review: QAC makes a decision in regard to the certification by means of a certification committee evaluation of the entire audit process.
  • 9. Certificate Issue: Once the certification register, the certificate will be issued to the client.
  • 10. Surveillance audit: A surveillance audit is conducted in order to verify whether the organization is following the stipulations set forth by the certification. Regular surveillance cycle cannot exceed one year.
  • 11. Recertification audit: A recertification audit is conducted for renewal of certification every 3 years before the expiry of the validity period of the certificate with an appropriate period. It is also conducted based on the same procedures outlined in the initial certification audit.

Expanding, reducing of certification

Expanding of certification

When the certified client considers expending their certification scope or adding their sites, the client is able to apply for expansion of the scope to the certification body and the certification body decides approval for the expansion after reviewing and conducting necessary certification activities.

Reducing of certification

In cases where the certified client is supposed to suspend their particular services or products stated on their certification scope, the client shall inform the cases to the certification body in a month and the certification body will decide approval after reviewing and conducting necessary certification activities.

In case of reducing the scope of certification, modification of the relevant promotion materials should be carried out.