How to apply for accreditation
Organizations interested in applying to be
accredited by SAAS must meet the criteria set out in SAAS
Procedure
200 and ISO/IEC 17021. SAAS Procedure 200 specifies requirements
regarding accreditation to conduct audits and the certification
of organizations to social standards. The systems set out
in Procedure 200 are binding to CBs accredited by SAAS for
performing SA8000 and other social standard certifications.
Procedure 200 includes requirements for certification body
audit processes, auditor qualifications, procedures and issuance
of certificates. In addition to the Procedure 200 document,
Certification Bodies must conform with the supplemental SAAS
Advisory
1,
Advisory 2, Advisory
3, Advisory
4, Advisory
5, Advisory
6, Advisory
7 and Advisory
8.
ISO/IEC 17021 contains principles and requirements
for the competence, consistency, and impartiality of an audit
and the certification of management systems of all types and
for bodies providing these activities. CBs interested in accreditation
by SAAS must meet the requirements set out in ISO/IEC 17021.
SAAS Procedure
201 also provides critical information on the procedures
for granting, maintaining, extending, reducing, suspending
and withdrawing the accreditation of a CB by SAAS. This document
should be read in conjunction with SAAS Procedure 200.
Please see the basic overview of the
accreditation application process
Prospective certification bodies may apply for accreditation
in one or more countries and are accredited based upon their
ability to satisfy the SAAS accreditation criteria. SAAS accepts
applications for CBs to conduct certification audits to SA8000.
CBs accredited by SAAS are invited to apply to conduct BSCI
and InterAction audits as well. Accreditation, when granted
by SAAS, lasts for four years.
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