ASSESSMENT

• • Document review – usually done as a remote desk activity 
  • CB office visits – remote or on-site to assess various aspects, such as impartiality, personnel competence, and the quality system. 
  • Operator file review – individual review of CB client files covering the process of application through to the issue of a certificate (can be done on-site or remotely) 
  • Unannounced visits – these may be to the office of the CB or to their clients’ premises 
  • Witness audits – usually on-site observation of an inspection by an IOAS assessor 
  • Review or verification audits – visits by an IOAS assessor to CB client premises to perform a check inspection 
  • Complaint investigation – may be done remotely or on-site 
  • Other investigations – as proposed by IOAS or a scheme owner 

Formal accreditation by IOAS – this is our standard service to certification bodies in which we make our own decision and issue a formal accreditation certificate. Based on the IOAS decision, the scheme owner commonly formalizes recognition of the CB’s competence to operate their scheme by issuing a contract. All the above elements of assessment are utilized.   

Full assessment without issue of an IOAS accreditation certificate – some scheme owners require IOAS to perform assessment without making the accreditation decision. IOAS makes a recommendation based on a full assessment process and the scheme owner issues a certificate or letter of accreditation and makes their status public. A modification of this option is assessment without public declaration by IOAS, the CB or any involved scheme owner – essentially an internal process to verify competence. 

Customized assessment – scheme owners, standard setters, CBs and other entities engaged in activities related to conformity assessment are invited to work with IOAS to design their own oversight based on the elements of assessment listed in the above elements of assessment.  Reach out to us to discuss your specific needs, and we’ll create a customized assessment approach tailored to your unique requirements.