RE-CERTIFICATION

The purpose of the re-certification audit is to confirm the ongoing compliance and effectiveness of the management system as a whole, as well as its ongoing compliance and suitability for the scope of certification. A re-certification audit should be planned and performed in order to assess the continued compliance with all requirements of the relevant standard for management systems or other regulatory document. Such an audit is planned and conducted in a timely manner to ensure the continuation of certification in a timely manner, prior to the expiration of the certificate.

Re-certification activities include the analysis of previous supervisory audit reports and the effectiveness of the management system during the last certification cycle.

In situations where there have been significant changes in the management system, in the client or in the context of the functioning of the management system (for example, changes in legislation), during the re-certification audit activity there may be a need for a first stage audit.

Such situations may arise at any time during the certification cycle and the Management System Certification Body may need to conduct a special audit, which may consist of one or two stages.

The re-certification audit covers the on-site audit and takes into account:

• the effectiveness of the management system as a whole, taking into account internal and external changes and its constant compliance and suitability in the field of certification;
  demonstrated fulfillment of commitments to maintain efficiency and improve the management system in order to improve all indicators;
• the effectiveness of the management system in relation to the achievement of the certified client’s goals and planned results of the relevant management system.

For any significant non-compliances, the Management System Certification Body shall set deadlines for corrections and corrective actions. Such actions must be implemented and verified before the end of the certification.

If the re-certification activities are successfully completed before the date of completion of the existing certification, the date of completion of the new certification may be based on the date of completion of the current certification. The date of issue on the new certificate is the same or later than the date of the decision on re-certification.

If the Management System Certification Body has not completed the re-certification audit or the Management Systems Certification Body is not able to verify the implementation of adjustments and corrective actions for any material non-compliance before the certification completion date, re-certification should not be recommended and certification should not be extended. . The client is informed about such a decision, as well as its consequences.

Upon completion of the certification, the Management System Certification Body may renew the certification within a period of up to 6 months, provided that all re-certification activities are completed, otherwise at least a second stage audit must be carried out. The date of entry into force of the certificate is the same or later than the date of the decision on re-certification. The expiration date is based on the previous certification cycle.

The certification body of management systems makes decisions on re-certification, based on both the results of re-certification audit and the results of analysis of the system during the validity of certification and complaints received from certification users.