Skip to main content
Have a Question?
Table of Contents
< All Topics
Print

Certified Client’s Rights and Duties

Posted
Updated
Byadmin

This document explains the rights and duties of organisations that are certified, or seeking certification, by Assurco Limited. It forms part of the information required to be made available to clients under ISO/IEC 17021‑1:2015, Clause 8.5.1 and should be read alongside the Certification Agreement and applicable scheme rules.

Scope

This document applies to:

  • Applicants for certification
  • Certified clients
  • Clients under surveillance or recertification

It applies regardless of whether certification activities are delivered by Assurco directly or via branch offices, partners, agents or franchisees. In all cases, Assurco Limited remains the certification body and retains full responsibility for certification decisions.

3. Certified Client’s Rights

Certified clients have the right to:

3.1 Impartial and Competent Certification

  • Be assessed by competent, impartial auditors
  • Have certification decisions made independently and objectively
  • Be free from commercial, financial or other pressures that could compromise impartiality

3.2 Clear Information

  • Receive clear information on certification requirements, processes, fees and applicable standards
  • Be informed of any changes to certification requirements in a timely manner

3.3 Use of Certification

  • Use certification status, certificates and marks in accordance with Assurco’s rules
  • Promote certification in marketing and communications while certification remains valid

3.4 Complaints and Appeals

  • Submit complaints regarding certification activities
  • Appeal certification decisions
  • Have complaints and appeals handled fairly, impartially and without discrimination

3.5 Confidentiality

  • Expect that information obtained during certification activities is treated confidentially, except where disclosure is required by law or agreed contractually

4. Certified Client’s Duties

Certified clients are required to:

4.1 Comply with Certification Requirements

  • Continually comply with the requirements of the applicable management system standard
  • Meet all conditions of certification as defined by Assurco

4.2 Facilitate Audits

  • Provide access to premises, processes, records, systems and personnel as required
  • Allow witnessing by accreditation bodies or observers where applicable
  • Cooperate during initial certification, surveillance, recertification and special audits

4.3 Use Certification Correctly

  • Use certification, certificates and marks only as permitted
  • Cease use of certification claims if certification is suspended, withdrawn or reduced
  • Avoid misleading or incorrect statements regarding certification

4.4 Notify Changes

Clients must inform Assurco without undue delay of changes that may affect certification, including changes to:

  • Legal, commercial or organisational status
  • Ownership or management
  • Scope of certification
  • Locations or sites
  • The management system or key processes

4.5 Cooperate with Complaints and Appeals

  • Cooperate with investigations into complaints related to their certification
  • Implement corrective actions where required

5. Responsibility for Certification Activities

Where certification activities are delivered via branch offices, partners, agents or franchisees, Assurco Limited:

  • Retains full responsibility and authority for certification activities and decisions
  • Remains responsible for complaints, appeals, suspension and withdrawal of certification