We are experiencing more-and-more of our clients, both existing & new, that are not aware of the dynamic between accreditation and certification; this is ultimately creating a weakness in providing assurance throughout supply chains.
What to do;
Check your own ‘certification body’ uses the relevant ISO 17021 standard, and if in the UK, is registered with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service; if outside if the UK, check they are a member of the International Accreditation Forum. This also applies to your supply chain; if you are using certification for assurance, ensure the person checking understands this concept.
See definitions below:
· Certification – the provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements.
· Accreditation – the formal recognition by an independent body, generally known as an accreditation body, that a certification body operates according to international standards.
