1. Purpose and Availability

This document provides the public information maintained by EIQM Ltd. Certification Services for management-system certification. It is intended to be accessible without request from the EIQM website and is controlled under ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015 clause 8.1.1.

2. Audit and Certification Processes

Application and impartiality review: EIQM obtains the applicant’s legal identity, sites, requested scope, standard, workforce, outsourced processes, shift information and any management-system consultancy provided and by whom. EIQM reviews competence, audit time, scope and impartiality before acceptance.

Agreement and planning: after application review and acceptance, a binding certification agreement is executed. Competent auditors are assigned, conflicts are checked and an audit plan is issued.

Initial certification: Stage 1 evaluates readiness, scope, sites, key processes, statutory/regulatory context, internal audit and management review. Stage 2 evaluates implementation and effectiveness against the applicable management-system standard.

Audit reporting and nonconformities: EIQM reports audit objectives, scope, sites, evidence sampled, findings, conclusions, recommendation, sampling limitations and certification/mark controls. Nonconformities require correction, root-cause analysis and corrective action within the specified period, followed by verification.

Independent certification decision: the audit-team recommendation is reviewed by competent personnel who were not part of the audit. EIQM may grant or refuse certification based on sufficient objective evidence.

Surveillance and recertification: certified clients are monitored through planned surveillance audits and recertification before certificate expiry. Frequency and audit time reflect the scheme, client changes, risk, previous results and certification status.

Special audits: short-notice or special audits may be conducted to investigate complaints, changes, suspension, withdrawal, scope changes or other significant matters.

3. Certification Status Decisions

Granting: certification is granted only after a favorable independent decision and completion of all applicable requirements.

Refusing: EIQM may refuse certification where requirements are not met, evidence is insufficient, impartiality cannot be assured or the requested activity is outside EIQM competence/accredited scope.

Maintaining: certification is maintained when surveillance evidence supports continuing conformity and applicable obligations are fulfilled.

Renewing: recertification evaluates continued conformity and effectiveness before the end of the certification cycle.

Suspending: certification may be suspended for serious or persistent failure, failure to permit required audits, misuse of certification or voluntary client request. During suspension, certification is temporarily invalid and promotional use must cease.

Restoring: suspended certification may be restored only after the cause has been corrected and EIQM verifies fulfilment of the specified conditions within the allowed period.

Withdrawing: certification may be withdrawn when suspension is not resolved, certification requirements are no longer met, the client requests withdrawal or the agreement terminates. Certification claims and mark use must cease.

Expanding or reducing scope: scope changes require application/review and, where necessary, audit and decision. A reduction is made where requirements are not met for part of the scope or at the client’s request; all public claims must be amended.

4. Types of Management Systems and Certification Schemes

EIQM provides management-system certification only for standards and activities within its current approved competence and applicable ASCB Schedule of Accreditation. The current scope and limitations of accreditation govern any accredited service. Prospective clients should obtain written confirmation from EIQM that the requested standard, scope, site and geographical area are available before relying on any quotation or promotional statement.

5. Use of EIQM Name, Certificates, Certification Marks and Accreditation Symbols

Certification applies to the management system, stated sites, activities and certified scope; it does not certify a product, process, service or person.

Certified clients shall use certificates, claims and marks only as authorized by EIQM-RUL-01 and their certification agreement.

No certification or accreditation mark may be applied to products, product/type labels, primary packaging, laboratory reports, calibration certificates or inspection reports in a way that implies product conformity.

Clients shall never use the ASCB accreditation mark independently. Any authorized ASCB marketing-logo reference must use EIQM-approved combined artwork, with EIQM on the left and the relevant ASCB logo on the right.

EIQM’s ASCB accreditation applies only to the activities and scopes stated in EIQM’s current ASCB Schedule of Accreditation. ASCB does not certify EIQM clients or their products, processes or services.

Claims and mark use must be amended or discontinued following suspension, withdrawal, expiry or reduction of scope, and misuse may result in correction, suspension, withdrawal, publication or legal action.

Detailed public rules: https://eiqmcert.com/certificate-and-mark-use/

6. Requests for Information, Complaints and Appeals

Requests for certification information, complaints about EIQM or an EIQM-certified client, and appeals against certification decisions may be submitted through https://eiqmcert.com/contact-us/ or by email to info@eiqmcert.com or canada@eiqmcert.com. Submissions should identify the sender, organization, certificate or decision concerned, relevant dates, the issue and available objective evidence.

Acknowledgement and validation: EIQM records the submission, confirms whether it relates to EIQM certification activity and requests further information when necessary.

Independent handling: personnel involved in the subject decision or activity do not decide the appeal or complaint outcome where this would create a conflict.

Investigation and decision: relevant records and evidence are reviewed; additional information or audit activity may be required; the outcome and any necessary action are recorded.

Communication and confidentiality: EIQM communicates progress and the final outcome as appropriate while protecting confidential and personal information.

Non-discrimination: submitting a complaint, appeal or information request does not result in discriminatory action against the sender.

Submit a request, complaint or appeal: https://eiqmcert.com/contact-us/

7. Impartiality

EIQM is responsible for the impartiality of its certification activities. Certification decisions are based on objective evidence and are not influenced by commercial, financial or other pressures. EIQM identifies, analyzes, evaluates, treats, monitors and documents threats to impartiality arising from ownership, governance, personnel, related bodies, consultancy, self-review, familiarity, intimidation or financial interests. EIQM does not provide management-system consultancy to certification clients and applies separation and conflict-of-interest controls to personnel and decision makers.

8. Geographic Areas and Public Verification

EIQM considers certification activities by legal jurisdiction, technical competence, auditor availability, language, security, travel feasibility and the limits of its approved accreditation. Operational contact locations are listed at https://eiqmcert.com/contact-us/. Certificate status may be checked through https://eiqmcert.com/company-cert-verify/. Requests for a formal statement of certification status or current accredited scope should be directed to EIQM using the public contacts above.

Verify a certificate: https://eiqmcert.com/company-cert-verify/

9. Control, Updates and Public Version

The Certification Manager reviews this public information after changes to standards, schemes, accreditation scope, certification processes, complaint/appeal arrangements or mark-use rules, and at least annually. The approved electronic master is controlled; downloaded or printed copies are uncontrolled unless the revision and effective date are verified.