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AdvCert
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How does the Corona Virus (Covid-19) effect your certification?

Owing to the unprecedented circumstances, we have taken our time, waiting for updates from UKAS before formally issuing our own policy. 

We CAN do remote surveillance audits (either full audits or partial audits to be decided on a case-by-case basis), we can also do partial remote re-assessments which allow us to extend the current certificate of a client for 6 months (assuming that the result of the audit is positive).
 
Stage 1 audits - These can be remote without issue but site related issues that may have been identified and solved at stage 1 could result in NCRs at stage 2 so please be prepared for this.
 
Stage 2 - Current UKAS advice is that a remote stage 2 (initial certification) audit would not give sufficient confidence in the integrity of the audit process but this may change as the situation develops. 

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If you require a Remote Audit Form, please click on the link below, download, print and return to the AC offices for review of your application. 
request_for_remote_audit_form.docx
File Size: 26 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

coronavirus_policy.docx
File Size: 149 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


Coronavirus Policy 
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This Policy is effective as of 16th March 2020

You will be aware of the current global situation regarding the escalating effects of the Coronavirus outbreak. In response Advanced Certification will adhere to all current international and national travel restrictions, and we have been informed by both UKAS and the Italian accreditation body (Accredia) that they are suspending on-site assessments within high risk areas. As the picture develops, we expect that other national governments may initiate similar actions.
 
In accordance with ISO 17021-1:2015, Advanced Certification is obliged to undertake surveillance audit activity of certified clients each calendar year and these visits are due to be completed 12 months from the date of issue of certificates and every 12 months thereafter.
 
The IAF ID3 document specifies the methodologies for CBs to follow in this case, as UKAS accredited Certification Body, Advanced Certification is obliged to consider UKAS Technical Policy Statement - TPS 62 in this situation.
 
What does this mean for surveillance audits of certified clients of Advanced Certification?
 
It is the policy of Advanced Certification to, wherever possible complete surveillance audits as scheduled, in cases where it is not possible because of travel limitations that an on-site surveillance audit is not possible within an audit’s due date, a surveillance audit (partially or fully) can be conducted via remote auditing.
 
Advanced Certification has documented within it’s Quality Manual the option to complete a remote surveillance audit of clients once within the 3-year cycle and so this approach is the preferred approach to ensure that audits are completed where travel is not possible.
 
By facilitating remote auditing, we shall focus on the process and relative clauses that can be effectively audited. If any process/clauses cannot be audited, we will update the 3-year audit programme to have these processes and clauses covered at the next audit. In cases of multi-day audits that are completed remotely in 2020 a portion of the time due to be spent at the 2020 audit shall be deferred to the 2021 audit.
 
Should you feel that your surveillance audit will be affected by the Coronavirus outbreak then you need to complete the “Request for remote audit” form and liaise with your local Advanced Certification representative to confirm if this option is available for your visit. Advanced Certification is obliged to conduct a risk assessment for each request and will advise you of the result.
 
What does this mean for re-certification of certified clients of Advanced Certification?
 
It is the policy of Advanced Certification to, wherever possible complete re-audits as scheduled, in cases where because of travel limitations that an on-site re-audit is not possible within a certificate expiry date then a remote audit of system will be required or the certificate will lapse and will remain so until the on-site re-audit is completed and the reports reviewed and approved.
 
Should you feel that your recertification audit will be affected by the Coronavirus outbreak then you need to complete the “Request for remote audit” form and liaise with your local Advanced Certification representative to confirm if this option is available for your visit. Advanced Certification is obliged to conduct a risk assessment for each request and will advise you of the result.
 
Please note that it is not possible to complete a full re-audit through remote auditing techniques, meaning that the result of a successful remote audit is the previous certificate will be re-issued with the expiry date extended by 6 months. Should the on-site portion of the re-audit not be completed within this extra 6 months then the certification holder will need to re-apply for certification with a new registration.
 
What does this mean for new clients of Advanced Certification?
 
It is the policy of Advanced Certification to, wherever possible complete stage 1 & stage 2 audits as scheduled.
 
To minimize exposure stage 1 audits will be completed remotely where possible.
 
In cases where, because of travel limitations that an on-site 2 audit is not possible, Advanced Certification will be unable to complete a full stage 2 audit through remote auditing techniques. Advanced Certification is aware of the current Accredia approach of allowing a partial remote stage 2 to be completed and submitted for certificate decision but at this time this option is not available with other Accreditation Bodies.
 
This Policy is effective as of 16th March 2020
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Remote Audit Form​

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Due to the high level of enquiries regarding Remote Audits, please note that we shall endeavour to respond to your requests as soon as possible, but there may be a delay in getting back to you so please bear with us!

Please click on this link to download a copy of the
Request for Remote Audit Form  request_for_remote_audit_form.docx


Once completed and signed, please email over to: sales@advancedcertification.co.uk ​for the Review Team to assess your request. 

We appreciate your time and patience in this unusual time. 

We hope that you are all keeping safe and well. 

The Advance Certification Team 
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