1.0 Purpose

To document, establish, implement, and maintain the system for granting, refusing, maintaining, extending, reducing, renewing, suspending, or restoring suspension and withdrawal of certification against management system standards as per the requirements of ISO/IEC 17021-1:2015, and other applicable international standards for certification bodies providing management system certification.

2.0 Scope

This procedure is applicable to all audits carried out on the client during a certification cycle.

3.0 Responsibility

Certification Committee.

4.0 Procedure

4.1 General

• Dymer India ensures that the person or group of persons involved in the decision-making for granting, refusing, maintaining, extending, reducing, renewing, suspending, or restoring suspension and withdrawal of certification against management system standards have not participated in the audit.
• Dymer India ensures that personnel involved in decision-making have the competence to evaluate the audit processes and related recommendations from the audit team.
• The composition of the certification committee responsible for decisions is documented.
• Before a decision is made, the certification committee reviews the audit reports to confirm that:
• The information provided by the audit team is sufficient with respect to certification requirements and scope.
• For major non-conformance, the corrections and corrective actions submitted by the client are reviewed, accepted, and verified for effectiveness.
• For minor non-conformance, the planned corrections and corrective actions are reviewed and accepted by the team leader or member.

4.2 Granting the Certification

• The final audit reports, after initial assessment by the auditor, are submitted to the certification committee for technical review and approval.
• In addition to the points stated in section 4.1.4, the review confirms:
• Evidence that the client’s management system complies with the certification requirements.
• Both negative and positive observations are made regarding the management system.
• The client is capable of meeting the agreed requirements for the product per the scope of certification.
• Non-conformities raised are meaningful and correctly graded.
• Corrections and corrective actions by the client are appropriate and conform to the risk involved.
• Internal audits and management reviews are effective.
• The certification committee decides whether to grant certification, with decisions and comments recorded.
• After certification is granted, a draft certificate is prepared and verified for correctness.
• The certificate is signed by the Managing Director or authorized person and issued to the client along with supporting documents.

4.3 Maintaining the Certification

• Surveillance audits are conducted as planned, and the client continues to meet management system requirements.
• Non-conformities raised during previous surveillance are closed within the agreed timeframe.
• Internal audits and management reviews are conducted as scheduled.
• The client maintains records of customer complaints and remedial actions for verification by auditors.
• All dues to Dymer India are paid, and the certification committee approves the audit.

4.4 Expanding the Certification Scope

• Any request by the client for an expansion of scope is dealt with as per the procedure.
• The decision for granting extension is taken as described in sections 4.1 and 4.2.
• Dymer India will issue a new certificate with an amended scope without changing the certification period.

4.5 Reducing the Certification Scope

• Dymer India may decide to reduce the certification scope by excluding parts that do not meet certification requirements.
• If the client requests a reduction, it is handled as per procedure PM-07.
• A new certificate with amended scope is issued without changing the certification period.

4.6 Renewing the Certification or Re-certification

• Dymer India will renew certification as per the re-certification procedure.
• Dymer India makes decisions based on the re-certification audit results, system review, and complaints received from customers.

4.7 Suspending, Restoring, or Withdrawing Certification

• Dymer India may suspend certification if:
• The certified management system fails to meet certification requirements.
• The client does not allow audits to be conducted.
• Misuse of certification logo and reference.
• Failure to submit corrective actions as required.
• Voluntary suspension requested by the client.
• Non-payment of dues to Dymer India.
• The decision for suspending certification is made by the certification committee.

5.0 Records

• Certification committee decision.
• Audit summary report, as applicable.
• Certification agreement.